The Scottish Greens have hit back of opponents of the controversial deposit return scheme (DRS) after a cross-party group earlier accused the scheme's proposed August introduction as "reckless".
The scheme would see shoppers pay a 20p deposit when buying drinks in cans or bottles, getting the money back when they return them for recycling. But the scheme has been criticised by many in the drinks industry who fear it could hurt Scottish producers.
On Wednesday a cross-party group of MSPs, including former Scottish rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing and veteran SNP MSP Christine Grahame, called for the scheme to be halted.
The letter to outgoing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was signed by Conservative MSPs Maurice Golden and Brian Whittle, Labour’s Claire Baker and Paul O’Kane and Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur.
Their letter said that given the “number and gravity of the defects identified by both that review and by industry, that it would be reckless for the Scottish Government to proceed with the scheme’s introduction in August this year”.
They said: “Around 600 small and medium size businesses have expressed profound fears about both the costs and rules (which are far from complete even now), such that many of them may close or face financial pressures leading to closure whilst others will simply cease to operate in the Scottish market.”
They warned Ms Sturgeon that “if the DRS scheme proceeds as proposed, many producers in England, and the rest of UK and foreign drinks brands exporting to Scotland, will cease to sell their products in Scotland”.
The MSPs went on to say they shared the concerns that some businesses – particularly smaller retailers and convenience stores – may have to increase prices by more than the 20p deposit “because the handling fees set do not cover their costs”.
Later in the day, Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: “It is deeply regrettable to see this group of MSPs spreading misinformation and panic about a scheme that our parliament has already voted for and that is based on successful schemes that have been implemented around the world.
“You expect this level of relentless negativity, half-truths and distortion from the Tories, but to see MSPs from other parties joining them is disappointing to say the least.”
He continued: “We are in a climate emergency, and that needs a bold and ambitious response.
“The DRS is an important part of that response, and I am confident it will be recognised as one of the proudest achievements of devolution.
“The DRS will be vital to increasing recycling and cutting waste. It will be a big step towards cleaner streets and communities.
“At the last election we committed to delivering this scheme, and I am proud that with Scottish Greens in government that is exactly what we’re doing. It is a robust scheme and I am proud that it is being delivered by a Green minister.”
The rest of the UK is not scheduled to bring in deposit return until October 2025 – more than two years after the August 16 start date for the Scottish scheme.
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