DRS deposit return scheme

The Scottish government has been called on to delay the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) until September 2023.

Speaking to a Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, associate director of public affairs at the Food and Drink Federation Scotland, Jim Fox, appealed for a delay to allow the entire industry to get ready.

“I know that the minister [Lorna Slater] is considering a delay in that and we hope that she does delay. There are some parts of the industry that are ready to go and some parts that are not ready to go.

“It can’t be delivered in parts, it’s got to be the whole and our best estimate of the right time to go on DRS is September 2023.”

The scheme has been delayed in Scotland due to Covid-19 and the implementation date remains unclear with Scottish Green minister Lorna Slater stating last month (November) that a new date for the launch of the scheme would be announced “in due course”.