Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 23 February 2022
I have never changed my position, but I want my questions to be answered, so I will list them.
Why will the Government not at least guarantee that the reverse vending machines will be built in Scotland? Is every business that will be affected by DRS fully aware of the implications for their business? Are banks concerned about funding the scheme, which would mean that Scottish Government funds may be required?
Are companies refusing to bid for Circularity Scotland contracts because of “reputational risk”? Did Circularity Scotland award a contract to PwC for £650,000 for producing recommendations only on a return handling fee, and was that due to be delivered by Eunomia consultancy for tens of thousands of pounds less?
Has the deadline for work on a producer registration system, which was due to be delivered in January this year, been missed? Will the vast majority of materials collected in the scheme be exported to England and other markets abroad? Why is there no remelt target to improve glass recycling?
Is the Scottish Government happy that there will be local authority job losses in waste management departments as a result of DRS?
We can deliver the current scheme, or delay and deliver a truly ambitious scheme. The Scottish Government is offering the worst of all worlds. I urge any member who believes in tackling climate change and has a commitment to transparency and the public sector to vote against the regulations.
17:24