Changes to Scottish DRS set to benefit small businesses

Further changes to the Scottish DRS have been announced by the Minister for the Circular Economy Lorna Slater, who outlined changes to how the scheme will operate.

These changes come just one week after Humza Yousaf’s announcement that Scotland’s DRS will be delayed until 1 March 2024.

What are the changes?

Lorna Slater updated MSPs at the Scottish Parliament on 20 April. The changes are:

• drinks containers of under 100ml will be excluded, removing miniatures and other smaller containers from the scheme
• products that sell fewer than 5,000 units per year will be excluded, which will particularly benefit craft producers
• all hospitality premises that sell the large majority of their drinks products for consumption on the premises will be exempt from acting as a return point
• the online application process for retailers to apply for an exemption from providing a return point has been simplified

These measures aim to make it easier for drinks producers and retailers to prepare for the scheme, while making sure environmental benefits are still delivered.

Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said: “Scotland’s deposit return scheme will reduce litter on our streets, massively increase the recycling of drinks containers and help meet our net zero ambitions. However, to realise these benefits DRS needs to be delivered in a way that works for businesses, especially for small drinks producers. The changes I have set out will make the scheme easier for industry to deliver – especially for craft producers – while still making sure the vast majority of drinks containers are captured for recycling.”

Are you affected?

Drinks producers in Scotland have until 12 January 2024 to register for the scheme. If you think you may be impacted by these new changes to the Scottish DRS, read our knowledge article in the Ecosurety Hub website now to determine what actions you need to take.