ACS has told a government committee inquiry that there needs to be proper lead times and planning when making major changes like the introduction of deposit return schemes, extended producer responsibility, and single-use plastic bans.
The Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry is set to question Defra officials on whether the government has effective plans to meet its waste and recycling ambitions, and if Defra is on track to deliver on packaging reforms.
Measures under scrutiny by the inquiry include the introduction of a UK-wide DRS scheme and extended producer responsibility, both of which have been pushed back to 2025, after the next General Election.
In its evidence, ACS has welcomed necessary delays in the introduction of these measures, calling on the government to ensure that enough time is given to legislators, producers and retailers to adapt.
On the process for introducing an environmentally and financially sustainable deposit return scheme, ACS sets out the four pillars of such a scheme as:
- An interoperability plan to ensure the scheme works across the UK’s four nations.
- Draft regulations laid before parliament with significant lead time to the proposed go-live date.
- A commitment from government to underwrite finances for setting up a DMO (Deposit Management Organisation).
- A timeline that properly reflects the time needed for industry to prepare.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “The government is taking the right steps toward ensuring a more sustainable future, but it’s absolutely essential that significant changes and new infrastructure like that which will be needed under a deposit return scheme are given enough time and scrutiny to get the details right. We cannot risk rushing out half-baked policies that could end up harming retailers, consumers, the industry and ultimately the environment.”
The first oral evidence session of the Public Accounts Committee inquiry is set to take place on 11 September.
