Scotland’s “regrettable” DRS delay alarms environmentalists but lobbyists highlight long-term harmonization

18 Nov 2021 --- Scotland is set to further delay its long-planned deposit return system (DRS) for beverage packaging until late 2023, over three years after the plan was unveiled.

Environmental campaigners are accusing the government of yielding to industry lobbying and risking increasing already high levels of pollution in the country. 

The announcement comes shortly after Glasgow hosted the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), which was overshadowed by local waste collector strikes. 

The DRS, which was the first such planned system approved in the UK, would see consumers pay a 20p (US$0.27) returnable deposit on drinks bottles. Evidence shows DRS can cut littering, boost recycling and conserve resources. 

Despite this, COVID-19 disruptions have already led to postponement of the original date proposed by Scottish ministers in 2019 by 15 months. Critics estimate this further delay will lead to tens of millions of packaging items polluting the country. 

A Scottish government spokesperson tells PackagingInsights: “Industry has made progress, including the establishment of a scheme administrator, Circularity Scotland. This has been done in trying circumstances, with those sectors responsible for delivering the scheme facing unprecedented disruption as a result of the pandemic and Brexit. That is why we commissioned an independent review of progress and readiness for the go-live date.”

“We are committed to the scheme being operational as soon as is practicably possible. We are working hard with Circularity Scotland and industry to agree a final timescale and clear milestones for delivery, and will announce that schedule to Parliament in due course.”

However, Nina Schrank, a senior plastics campaigner at Greenpeace UK, tells PackagingInsights: “This shambolic delay to the long-awaited DRS is embarrassing for a government which loves to shout about its green credentials.” Campaigners worry the delay could cause more pollution in Scotland.

“They haven’t even given a clear timeline for any delay, which might even put the future of this vital scheme into doubt. Every year of delay means millions more bottles are being dumped or burned. The DRS was a flagship environmental policy for the Scottish government, and they’ve kicked the can down the road yet again.”

Breaching government commitments 
In a joint statement by Greenpeace UK, Surfers Against Sewage, and the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS), campaigners accuse the ruling Scottish National Party of breaking its manifesto commitments and guaranteeing further pollution in the country’s environment. 

This delay has happened, they claim, under pressure from industry bodies wishing to prolong DRS as it could impact their profits. 

Sustainability consultancy group Eunomia calculated for APRS that approximately 140,000 additional cans and bottles are littered every day without a DRS. That number amounts to 31.5 million extra cans and bottles already being littered since the April 2021 date originally proposed by Scottish ministers. 

A further 32.5 million items are now estimated to be littered up to July 1, 2022. Even a delay to December 1, 2022 would lead to an additional 21.4 million cans and bottles in the country’s environment, says Eunomia. 

In a 2020 Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment, the Scottish government estimated the deposit return’s net value to the Scottish local government to be £168 million (US$226.7) over 25 years. 

That value reflects the additional costs of street cleansing, bin emptying, and recycling center gate fees and amounts to more than £500,000 (US$674,740) per month. The pandemic’s effect on litter and cleansing may make the real current costs even higher. A delay to December 2022 would cost hard-pressed local authorities £2.8 million (US$3.7 million), it claims. 

The risks of rushing? 
However, despite alarm from environmental organizations, industry bodies and other experts say an extension may be beneficial in the long-run by ensuring a harmonized and effective DRS is implemented properly. 

Speaking to PackagingInsights, Robbie Staniforth, director of innovation and policy at producer compliance organization Ecosurety, agrees further delays could be beneficial. Evidence suggests DRS can cut littering and boost recycling.

“While the delay is regrettable, we understand the reasons for it. The risk of public dissatisfaction caused by a hastily designed and launched system is too high. Ultimately, a harmonized UK-wide system is what businesses and citizens require,” he asserts. 

“This delay increases the likelihood of that becoming a reality, despite Scotland’s desire to launch first. Putting this in perspective for citizens disappointed with the delay, these beverage containers are recyclable at home and valuable right now. If you can’t find a recycling bin when out and about, take it home, and it will be recycled.”

British Soft Drinks Association director general Gavin Partington also says he supports the decision to “find a more pragmatic DRS start date” and that a new timeframe should be agreed on as soon as possible. 

“We also urge the UK Government to address the issue of applying VAT to the deposits in Scotland’s DRS. Keeping this mechanism in place would effectively tax the incentive that’s there to encourage good consumer behavior and bring a huge cost and a great deal of complexity to producers.”

By Louis Gore-Langton