Circularity Scotland, Scotland’s deposit return scheme (DRS) administrator, says the scheme is still on course for its planned August launch.
Circularity Scotland announced that by midnight on 28 February, producers responsible for more than 2bn recyclable drinks containers had registered for the scheme, representing more than 95% of the total volume of products sold in Scotland each year. By 28 February, 26,000 products had been registered.
SEPA, the scheme’s regulator, has confirmed registration will remain open to enable all producers to sign up in time for the launch of the DRS on 16 August 2023.
On 1 March, registration opened for Return Point Operators (RPOs). An RPO is anyone who provides a service for the collection of recyclable PET plastic, metal and glass containers included in Scotland’s scheme and refunds consumers’ deposits.
Most retailers and hospitality businesses that sell drinks to take away are legally required to operate a return point – this includes online retailers of drinks. However, they can apply for an exemption based on proximity to other return points or environmental health reasons, which is being managed by Zero Waste Scotland.
We’ve never underestimated the challenge of delivering a scheme which requires the support of so many Scottish businesses.
Circularity Scotland Chief Executive, David Harris, commented: “I would like to warmly welcome and thank all those producers who have registered for the scheme and emphasise that our team of experts are on hand to continue supporting registration.
“We’ve never underestimated the challenge of delivering a scheme which requires the support of so many Scottish businesses. They will all be helping us to reach the goal of recycling billions of PET plastic, glass and metal drinks containers a year. We’re now well on the way to achieving that vital ambition.
“I would encourage those producers who have begun their registration to complete it as soon as possible and can assure those producers who have yet to sign up, that we have people on hand to support them through the process.”
