Deposit Return Scheme
It’s disappointing to hear that the launch of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme has been delayed until at least October 2025. The scheme was set to increase the national recycling rate and help tackle the climate emergency. Initially due to be introduced in 2022, the Deposit Return Scheme aimed to increase the recycling rate of eligible drinks containers to 90%. It’s unfortunate that we’ll have to wait a few more years to see the positive impact this scheme could have had on our environment.
Why is it so important?
The Deposit Return Scheme is a crucial measure in the fight against plastic waste and litter. Its implementation aims to reduce the amount of plastic entering landfills, lower emissions, and encourage consumers to take responsibility for their contribution to a cleaner environment. By paying a small deposit on takeaway drinks, consumers can make a significant impact and reduce negative impacts on the environment. Moreover, the scheme aims to cut down on transportation and production of new materials.
How will it work?
Once introduced the Deposit Return Scheme will be pretty straightforward. Just pay 20p when you buy a drink in a single-use container, then get your deposit back by returning the empty bottle or can. It’s that simple!
Deposit return schemes are already a successful solution in many countries. It’s about time we launch our own scheme to tackle our throwaway culture and preserve our environment for future generations.
During my recent trip to Australia, I was impressed by the sustainable initiatives that have been launched. It’s concerning how much waste we generate as a society, and it’s inspiring to see efforts being made to counteract it. One fascinating aspect of these efforts that caught my eye was the use of bottle holders around the bins. Not only does this make recycling more accessible for all, but it also enables people with little time to quickly dispose of their bottles and helps others less fortunate who can pick up and return the bottles to get back the deposit. Such small actions can make a significant difference in creating a more sustainable future.
So why the delay?
The recent delay in the return deposit scheme in Scotland has some members of the public feeling concerned and frustrated. The main issue seems to have been our all to common approach, it’s too complicated!!
The Scottish government has now announced a package of measures to simplify the sustainable deposit return scheme and support small businesses. The changes include the exclusion of drinks containers under 100ml and products that sell fewer than 5,000 units per year. Hospitality premises that sell a majority of their drinks for on-site consumption will also be exempt from acting as a return point. Additionally, the online application process for retailers seeking exemption has been simplified.
The government’s additional time will be used to work with businesses and address concerns with the scheme. The 5,000 units per year threshold is set to remove only 0.5% of drinks containers from the scheme, but it will remove the need for 44% of businesses to apply a deposit to their products. These changes are critical in helping create a more sustainable environment without putting undue burden on small businesses, concerning stakeholders and boosting the scheme’s success. These changes are also awaiting approval from the Scottish Parliament.
Recent news prompted this post today.
The firm in charge of running it is facing a possible collapse. Scotland’s deposit return scheme, a sustainable initiative aimed at reducing waste and promoting recycling, is now at risk of collapsing. The decision to delay the implementation of the scheme until 2025 has raised concerns about the future of the program.
The firm responsible for setting up the system has expressed its disappointment with the delay, citing that it could jeopardise the viability of the project. This news is concerning, considering the urgency of addressing the environmental issues we are currently facing. It remains to be seen whether the deposit return scheme will survive this setback and become a crucial part of Scotland’s environmental efforts.
Success is key to making this scheme work and transform the way we recycle. 70% of people in Scotland are in favour of it. Implementing it can help lower emissions, save money on litter pick-up costs, and keep our beautiful country litter-free for everyone to appreciate. Let’s make Scotland a cleaner, greener place together!
We’ve got more to this story and we’ll keep you in the loop as we learn more from the Scottish government and zero waste Scotland.