Deposit return scheme in Scotland postponed until 2025 'at the earliest' following row over glass

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The introduction of Scotland's flagship recycling initiative has been pushed back by at least two years in the latest delay to the controversial policy.The deposit return scheme (DRS) will not begin until October 2025 at the earliest following discussions today between businesses and the Scottish Government.Lorna Slater, the Green minister responsible for the scheme, told MSPs today the previously agreed start date of next March was no longer viable following an intervention from the UK Government.She accused Westminster of "sabotage" after Tory ministers demanded glass was excluded from the scheme in order to comply with the UK Internal Market Act.The DRS was supposed to boost recycling rates and reduce littering by charging a 20p deposit on each single-use drinks container bought in shops.But it has faced repeated criticisms from small businesses across Scotland amid fears it would massively push up costs at a time of already soaring inflation.Slater told MSPs: "It is now clear that we have been left with no other option than to delay the launch of Scotland’s DRS, until October 2025 at the earliest based on the UK Government’s current stated aspirations."I remain committed to interoperable DRS schemes across the UK provided that we can work in a spirit of collaboration not imposition.

I wrote again last night to the UK Government, to urge ministers to reset a climate of trust and good faith to galvanise and retain the knowledge that has been built in Circularity Scotland and DRS partners in Scotland."This parliament voted for a Deposit Return Scheme.

I am committed to a Deposit Return Scheme. Scotland will have a Deposit Return Scheme. It will come later than need be. It will be more limited than it should be.