A controversial new recycling scheme has been delayed.
The Scottish Government’s deposit return scheme (DRS) will now not come into effect until March next year, having previously been due to begin in August.
The project, which sees people receive money back when they return their cans and bottles, had drawn widespread criticism and has now been pushed back by new First Minister Humza Yousaf.
Allen Henderson of Sulwath Brewers in Castle Douglas has described the scheme as “ill-thought out on so many levels”.
He said: “It’s a stay of execution. They’ve kicked it down the road for a few months, which in fairness is something we’ve been asking for.
“There’s still no further clarity on what we knew before, apart from it’s been delayed. It still hasn’t been delayed in line with the rest of the UK, where it’s due to start in 2025.
“Unless we can get more clarity, we’re in exactly the same boat we were before.
“We keep hearing the sound bite they’re continually talking to the industry, there’s very few of us they’re actually talking to. “When they do talk to us, we ask them questions – they just fob us off and don’t give us answers or give us scripted ones.
“Hopefully they’ll come to some sense and can have a look at getting it set up properly.”
When the scheme begins, people will pay an extra 20p when they buy a drink in a can or plastic or glass bottle, which they will receive back when they return the container for recycling.
Mr Yousaf said on Tuesday: “I remain committed to this scheme as a way to increase recycling, reduce litter and help achieve our net zero ambitions.
“But we recognise the uncertainty that continues to be created as a result of the UK Government delaying the decision to exclude the scheme from the Internal Market Act. We had hoped for that decision this week – but it has not come.
“At the same time, I, and the Circular Economy Minister, have heard the concerns of business, particularly about the scheme’s readiness for launch this August. As a result, we will now delay the launch of the scheme to March 1, 2024. This provides 10 months for businesses to get ready.
