Scotland, as we are all very well aware, has a long and often unenviable history of being the guinea pigs when it comes to new legislation.
Anyone old enough to remember the infamous Poll Tax in 1989? Since then, Scotland has led the way (usually unwillingly) on everything from the tobacco display ban to Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP). The latest bit of legislation set to land north of border before it hits England is the new-fangled and much misunderstood Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
Last month saw an important day on that front as it marked the start of the ‘year to go’ countdown for DRS in Scotland, with the new scheme set to go live on 16 August 2023. As most retailers will be aware, it hasn’t been an easy journey. The introduction date has been subject to lengthy delays and, to be honest, the initial interest in DRS among retailers has long since waned in Scotland. But with a year to go, it’s time to start firing up some enthusiasm and start viewing DRS as a real opportunity for independent retailers, rather than viewing it as just another bit of costly, irritating legislation that won’t achieve what it was created to bring about.
It’s fairly clear – unlike the tobacco display ban or even MUP – that DRS will have an instant and long-term significant, positive effect and will probably achieve the aims set out for it. The same cannot be said of the tobacco display ban or of MUP. Broadly speaking, DRS is likely to rapidly double the current rate of recycling which is currently achieved largely through kerbside systems. Every country around the globe with a DRS has seen an instant and huge effect. Scotland will be no different.
The benefits of the system are obvious, but some benefits are less obvious. As producers scrabble to make all of their drinks containers recyclable and, increasingly, recycled, the major problem is a dearth of materials. There’s not enough recyclable plastic around to meet the demand from producers keen to move to rPet containers. DRS will go a long way to sorting that in very short order.
Yes, it’s more hassle for retailers but surely as a sector we should be embracing something with such obvious and clear benefit not only to our own communities but to the entire planet? Sustainability is a massive issue, particularly among younger shoppers, and it isn’t going away. Neither is DRS. So it’s time to grasp the thistle and make DRS a huge success that delivers community, sustainability and commercial benefits for local retailers.
Antony Begley, Publishing Director
The DRS countdown is underway…
Scotland, as we are all very well aware, has a long and often unenviable history of being the guinea pigs when it comes to new legislation.
Anyone old enough to remember the infamous Poll Tax in 1989? Since then, Scotland has led the way (usually unwillingly) on everything from the tobacco display ban to Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP). The latest bit of legislation set to land north of border before it hits England is the new-fangled and much misunderstood Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
Last month saw an important day on that front as it marked the start of the ‘year to go’ countdown for DRS in Scotland, with the new scheme set to go live on 16 August 2023. As most retailers will be aware, it hasn’t been an easy journey. The introduction date has been subject to lengthy delays and, to be honest, the initial interest in DRS among retailers has long since waned in Scotland. But with a year to go, it’s time to start firing up some enthusiasm and start viewing DRS as a real opportunity for independent retailers, rather than viewing it as just another bit of costly, irritating legislation that won’t achieve what it was created to bring about.
It’s fairly clear – unlike the tobacco display ban or even MUP – that DRS will have an instant and long-term significant, positive effect and will probably achieve the aims set out for it. The same cannot be said of the tobacco display ban or of MUP. Broadly speaking, DRS is likely to rapidly double the current rate of recycling which is currently achieved largely through kerbside systems. Every country around the globe with a DRS has seen an instant and huge effect. Scotland will be no different.
The benefits of the system are obvious, but some benefits are less obvious. As producers scrabble to make all of their drinks containers recyclable and, increasingly, recycled, the major problem is a dearth of materials. There’s not enough recyclable plastic around to meet the demand from producers keen to move to rPet containers. DRS will go a long way to sorting that in very short order.
Yes, it’s more hassle for retailers but surely as a sector we should be embracing something with such obvious and clear benefit not only to our own communities but to the entire planet? Sustainability is a massive issue, particularly among younger shoppers, and it isn’t going away. Neither is DRS. So it’s time to grasp the thistle and make DRS a huge success that delivers community, sustainability and commercial benefits for local retailers.
Antony Begley, Publishing Director
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