Iceland boss Richard Walker has called on Michael Gove to speed up the introduction of a DRS system, claiming its potential could be wrecked if there is a clash of systems between the UK and Scottish governments.
The retailer this week revealed its trial of reverse vending machines in England and Scotland had resulted in nearly 312,000 bottles being recycled.
An average of 2,583 bottles were received and £250 in coupons refunded to customers per day in its Wolverhampton, Mold, Fulham and Musselburgh stores, alongside its head office in Deeside.
However, Walker, who announced the trial was being extended for six months, said a DRS system needed to be “nationwide and comprehensive”.
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In November, The Grocer revealed Scotland was set to go it alone with a DRS, despite warnings of cross-border chaos from business leaders. And before Christmas environment secretary Gove announced in his Resources & Waste Strategy that DRS would not be brought in to England and Wales until at least 2023.
Walker said Iceland’s trial had shown the public appetite for DRS. “I firmly believe we need to have one scheme across England, Scotland and Wales in order to maximise impact and consumer engagement,” he said. “A launch across Scotland, with the rest of the UK lagging behind, would undoubtedly cause huge issues for drinks manufacturers and the retail industry.”
BRC director of food and sustainability Andrew Opie added: “Since both people and businesses operate seamlessly across the borders of our devolved administrations, so should a DRS. A scheme in only one part of the country would force businesses to put in place costly new labelling schemes or other systems. As the Scottish government is the furthest advanced with its plans, we are working with them to ensure their final proposal is one that can be adopted across the rest of the UK.”
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