A key firm in Scotland’s deposit return scheme has warned Humza Yousaf not to scrap the project.
Biffa chief executive Michael Topham said cancellation or significant delay would send a “seismic signal” to businesses that have signed up.
He also said it would undermine the SNP-led Government’s position as a “legislator that can be relied upon”.
The DRS scheme, designed to boost recycling rates, is in crisis over a bitter row between the Scottish and UK Governments.
UK Ministers, who effectively possess a veto, have said it can go ahead but only if glass is excluded.
The First Minister has said he would "struggle" to see how the scheme could go ahead if it doesn't include glass.
Biffa, the logistics partner for the scheme, has urged the Scottish Government to press ahead.
Topham said the position of the UK Government is “no doubt unwelcome”, but added:
“Any decision to cancel or significantly delay the scheme beyond March 2024 sends a seismic and detrimental signal to all those businesses that are in principle willing to commit resources into helping the Scottish Government deliver on its ambitions, completely undermining its position as a legislator that can be relied upon.
“In my view the ramifications of this will be significant.
“Not only in terms of the urgent and immediate need for many businesses, who have invested in the scheme in good faith, to protect their financial position, but also in terms of attracting long-term outside investment in Scottish green infrastructure and related schemes in the future.”
Circularity Scotland, the not-for-profit body running DRS, has also called for the scheme to go ahead.
The Scottish Government Cabinet is meeting today to discuss the future of the policy.
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