Changes announced to planned bottles and cans return scheme

CHANGES have been announced to a planned bottles and cans return scheme, in the wake of Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, declaring a postponement to its implementation.

On Tuesday, Yousaf – in a bid to chart his own, unique course (here) for the country, following his recent election as First Minister – declared an extension to the implementation of the so-called Deposit Return Scheme: from August this year to March next year.

The scheme is aimed at increasing recycling and reducing litter, by encouraging cans and bottles to be returned in exchange for a 20p deposit that has already been spent on each of them.

The changes – such as an extension to the date by which drinks producers have to register to take part in the scheme – include container size and volume of production.

It is being presented – as announced, here – by the Scottish Government as being potentially most beneficial to craft drinks producers and pubs that provide off-sales.

The announcement quotes Scottish Scottish Government’s Circular Economy Minister, Lorna Slater, as still determined to see the policy – which has been met with various concerns – finally delivered.

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland

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