The Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) has expressed concern over the Scottish Government’s draft Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020’s lack of recognition of the “substantial additional costs” that its members’ businesses will incur.

Colin Smith, SWA chief executive, said: “The Scottish Government’s DRS regulations now give the SWA and our members clarity about the scheme and an understanding of the serious impacts facing our members.

“But despite our regular and substantial input into the DRS Implementation Advisory Group, we are disappointed that there is no mitigation for, or handling fee, to recognise the substantial additional costs and cross-border logistics that will impact on our members business.

“Additional initial weekly cash-flow requirements will run into the hundreds of thousands of pounds for each member – one truck of drinks cans will cost an additional £14,000 alone.”

The SWA also stressed its opposition to the inclusion of glass within the scheme and the timescale to introduce DRS.

A consultation on the draft Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020 is open until 10^th December, 2019.

https://consult.gov.scot/environment-forestry/deposit-scheme-for-scotland/