ARGYLL and Bute Council has called on the Scottish Government to take ‘urgent’ action to address concerns regarding the introduction of its deposit return scheme (DRS).
Due to come into action on August 16, its introduction has now been delayed for seven months with a new date set for March 2024.
However, the local authority said that ‘many’ Argyll and Bute businesses have expressed concerns over the additional costs they will incur as a result of DRS at a time when they are already under financial strain.
The council said there are also potential cost implications for island and remote rural businesses – including questions on how returned bottles and cans would be stored and transported to bulking stations.
In addition, there are concerns for secondary schools where bottled water, flavoured drinks, and canned drinks are available to paying pupils and for young people entitled to a free school meal to purchase using their meal allowance.
Councillor Ross Moreland, policy lead of climate change and environment services at Argyll and Bute Council, said, “We are supportive of any measures which help to reduce carbon emissions as we work together to become net zero by 2045. The Deposit Return Scheme has an important part to play in potentially reducing litter, increasing recycling rates and cutting waste.
“However, it’s clear that the scheme has considerable implications across Argyll and Bute for retail businesses, households, and pupils in receipt of free school meals and those who currently pay for meals.
“We believe that the Scottish Government must provide greater clarity on how it will operate and take steps to address the concerns which many of our businesses have about the practicalities of the scheme. We call on the government to give careful consideration to the impact it will have on the wider community across Argyll and Bute.”
