The UK government has laid out the regulations needed to push ahead with the troubled deposit return scheme rollout, in what Defra claimed was a “major step forward”.
Yesterday’s move was greeted by supporters of the scheme as a “sign of intent” that the Westminster, Scottish and Northern Ireland governments were planning to proceed with an October 2027 start date for the scheme – despite last week’s shock announcement that the Welsh government was pulling out of the plans.
Publication of the DRS legislation was seen as a vital step towards hitting the UK government’s timetable, with Defra insisting it is on course with plans to appoint scheme administrators in April next year, despite the Welsh pullout.
The Grocer understands crisis talks have been held between Defra and companies involved in the deposit management organisation (DMO) bid, including leading drinks manufacturers, supermarkets and trade bodies, to try to find a way forward for the scheme. The Welsh decision to quit has shattered plans for an interoperable UK-wide scheme.
Last week Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister and climate change secretary for Wales, said it had been left with no option but to withdraw from the process, because Westminster was not allowing its scheme to include glass under the rules for devolution.
Defra director for resources and waste Emma Bourne said the move was a “major step forward in our work across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to boost recycling, tackle litter and deliver a circular economy”.
“It is good to see the regulations being published as a sign of intent from the government,” a leading drinks company source told The Grocer today. “But it doesn’t suddenly solve the huge problems caused by the Wales pullout.
“The focus now has to be on the work that needs to be done to get the DMO up and running, and how we find a solution – not the problems posed by last week’s announcement.
“The same question remains about how the industry can make this scheme work and the huge impact it could have on producers and consumers in Wales and exporting from Wales.”
John Lee, VP for public affairs UK & Ireland at vending machine giant Tomra, said: “We fully welcome the publication of the DRS regulations for England and Northern Ireland. We have clearly seen the success of schemes in other countries, with collection rates of over 90%. Having legislation in place is the crucial first step in ensuring the UK can develop a high-performing DRS which will deliver significant environmental benefits.”
Jenni Hume, UK & Ireland director at circular economy non-profit Reloop, added: “We’re delighted to see the new UK government progress with the deposit return scheme for England and Northern Ireland, which will do so much towards cleaning up our communities and creating a circular economy for packaging.
“With strong public and political support for the policy, we are pleased that this tried and tested circular economy measure is one step closer to finally being rolled out across England and Northern Ireland, and in turn the wider UK.”
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