Meeting of the Parliament 18 June 2025
I want to make clear that deposit return schemes can have a positive effect on the recycling rates for those items in the scheme, and a limited effect on overall recycling rates.
The schemes work well and successfully across the globe but not in Scotland, although it is worth while pointing out that Scotland—indeed, the UK—would be the first to introduce such a scheme with advanced kerbside recycling. I appreciate that the cabinet secretary is not directly responsible for the scheme as it is now, but we nevertheless have a duty in this place to stand up for Scotland’s interests, and I have several concerns.
The legislation that is before us has a registration application date before 1 August 2027; however, what if the scheme were to be delayed? Scheme materials are exempt from extended producer responsibility for packaging, which means that non-scheme articles will pay. That will be particularly challenging if there is a delay. Local authorities will lose at least £1,500 per tonne on dry mixed recyclates. How will they be compensated? How will kerbside collections be affected? What will be the impact on local authority recycling rates? Will there be job losses?
How will small independent retailers be supported—for example, by accessing reverse vending machines or incentive schemes? I note the exemption. What will that mean for using glass as a packaging product, particularly as we have a glass recycling plant in Scotland? Will Scottish waste-management small and medium-sized enterprises be part of the scheme and be able to bid to access that waste? Will waste that is collected in Scotland be allocated UK wide? That means that Scotland will not have an opportunity to utilise the value of that waste and, for example, set up plastic recycling facilities.
Perhaps the cabinet secretary would raise that with the UK Government. I have been unable to obtain a meeting.