CIRCULARITY Scotland is calling on producers, retailers, and hospitality venues across Scotland to begin preparing for the introduction of the country’s deposit return scheme (DRS).
With one year to go until its launch, Circularity Scotland, the scheme’s administrator, said the initiative will be ‘one of the most significant environmental infrastructure projects ever seen in the UK’.
Scotland’s DRS has the goal to ensure that 90% of drinks containers are recycled and aims to drive the country’s move to a circular economy. Every business that makes or sells drinks in single-use glass or plastic bottles or cans will be impacted by the scheme.
Circularity Scotland was set up by industry and is responsible for developing and operating the infrastructure to collect drinks containers from all parts of the country and ensuring that the scheme runs as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.
Formal registration with the scheme will open in December and producers and those who will operate return points across Scotland are being encouraged to sign up to the Circularity Scotland website now to receive all the information they need to help them prepare.
In recent months Circularity Scotland has secured £18 million in commercial loans to support the set-up phase of the scheme and will shortly be moving into carbon net zero offices in the heart of Glasgow.
In July, in a move that the organisation said is expected to create 500 jobs in Scotland, it appointed sustainable waste management firm Biffa as the official logistics service provider – with responsibility for collecting and processing for recycling the billions of drinks containers purchased by Scottish consumers each year.
David Harris is chief executive of Circularity Scotland, with his executive team comprising of former Heineken CIO Derrick Wood, as chief technology officer; Simon Jones, previously general manager of distribution at Tesco, takes up the role of chief operating officer; and Tristan Turnbull joins as commercial and legal director, having previously been with John Menzies Aviation.
In the coming days, Circularity Scotland said it will also be issuing details of the fees for producers who appoint CSL, meaning the organisation will have hit all major milestones to date in the build up to the scheme’s ‘go live’ date of 16 August 2023.
David Harris, Circularity Scotland chief executive, said, “The progress made since Circularity Scotland was formed by industry is extremely encouraging, and we now have in place the infrastructure, funding and team to ensure that the scheme is a success and there is a clear roadmap until the scheme goes live and beyond. Of course, there is plenty more to do before August 16 2023, and we know that both drinks producers and those who will act as return point operators will need to make changes to how they operate.
“We’re here to support them in their preparations and would encourage them to sign up with us now to access all the information they need. We know that by working together we can make a huge difference in tackling climate change and support the growth of the circular economy in Scotland.”
