Stop, listen and respond to deposit scheme concerns

A successful deposit return scheme could bring many benefits to Scotland – reduced carbon emissions, more and better recycling, a reduction in litter on our streets.

These benefits are particularly important at a point where Scotland is failing to meet our climate commitments and is falling behind on recycling, and there is no question that a successful scheme would make a positive contribution in our journey to Net Zero.

Deposit return is workable - over 50 countries and territories across the world already have successful schemes up and running. Until 2015 we had our own “glass cheques” in the form of empty Barr’s bottles that could be cashed in at local shops, so it is not an idea unfamiliar to most of us.

And yet, less than six months until Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) goes live, the situation is characterised by confusion and anger, with questions about the potential costs for small businesses – both producers and retailers, how it will impact on cross-border trade, and even basic questions over how it will work across all locations and type of business.

Aside from the reports that the UK Government is planning to reject the request for an exemption to trading laws, required for the scheme to operate as planned, all three of the contenders for leadership of the SNP – and consequently the next First Minister of Scotland – have already said they would review the scheme or cancel it entirely.

Somehow the Snp-green Scottish Government has managed to turn a scheme which had cross-party support into one which even their own MSPS can no longer get behind.

To stop the DRS becoming another casualty of government failure, those in government need to stop and listen, and to respond to the concerns being raised.

Just last week the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, Lorna Slater, stood in the Chamber and repeatedly talked of how large producers responsible for 90 per cent of the containers covered by the scheme had registered.

But she also repeatedly refused to answer questions on what percentage of producers that equated to – how many small producers have signed up?

It is the smaller businesses who I am hearing from – small scale suppliers unable to absorb additional costs, those concerned about a lack of space for returns, retailers worried about losing stock as producers no longer look to sell in Scotland. Many small businesses are looking at the scheme as it stands and simply don’t see how it is workable for them. Some are questioning the future of their business. That is not the result any of us

The scheme could bring many benefits to Scotland

want to see.

We have finally seen some small changes being made, on online take-back, reduced producer fees and on support with cashflow. These show that even at this stage there is time to reduce the risks for smaller producers and retailers. Improvements like a grace period for small producers as the scheme is first introduced. Improved information and support for those covered by the scheme. An opt-in option for small retailers and exemptions for low volume producers.

There are options available that can make the DRS workable for all types of business, but ploughing ahead and refusing to take criticism on board is not the way. To refuse to listen to the valid concerns being raised every day by small businesses, by producers, by retailers - this risks undermining the whole scheme and failing to deliver on all of its promise.