Deposit return scheme 'must work' for small stores and micro-breweries

Ministers are being urged to give small stores a say in establishing how Scotland's deposit return scheme will work.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has joined forces with the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS), which spearheaded the campaign for environmental initiative, to produce a list of asks for the Scottish Government.

FSB policy Scotland policy chair Andrew McRae said these were designed to "ensure deposit return works well for some of Scotland's smallest businesses, from the corner shop to the micro-brewery".

Scotland is the first part of the UK to bring in such a system as part of environmental efforts - with shoppers paying a 20p deposit when buying drinks in a plastic or glass bottle or a metal can, and getting their money back when returning them for recycling.

APRS and the FSB are insisting small businesses must have "appropriate representation" on the board of any deposit return scheme operator.

They also want the operators to meet the expense of providing equipment for firms to collect and store empty drinks containers - as well as "frequent and predictable" collections from these.

And if necessary there should be the option for extra ad hoc collections to be organised, potentially over periods such as Hogmanay, the FSB and APRS insisted.

The organisations stressed there must be no detriment to small firms as a result of taking part in the scheme.

To prevent small drinks manufacturers from being disadvantaged, they argued for a tiered system for registration fees, rather than a flat rate payment.

APRS director John Mayhew said: "The rules for Scotland's deposit return system will be finalised over the next few months, and it's time to get into the detail.

"We've always said that big producers and big retailers will readily be able to make it work for them, but, as so often, it'll be harder to get the regulations right for small businesses in Scotland.

"We know a lot of small businesses have concerns about how deposits will work for them, so it's great to be able to work with FSB Scotland to try to identify a small list of key commitments we all believe would make a big difference.

"It's in everyone's interests to build a system that's as efficient and easy to take part in as possible, and one where small retailers and producers don't face disproportionate costs for taking part."

Mr Mcrae said the list they had produced was a "simple and practical set of asks for the Scottish Government to consider".

He added: "Our hope is still that there will be a single UK-wide deposit system, which would be better for the environment and the public as well as our members. But in the meantime, as Scotland's system gets finalised, this is the moment for small producers and retailers to be heard. We need to see decision-makers work harder to make these proposals work for our local economies."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "We believe Scotland's deposit return scheme (DRS) could help us recycle more than 90% of single-use drinks containers placed on the market, which is well in excess of what is being recovered through existing collection arrangements.

"The Scottish Government is keen to support businesses as they prepare for the scheme's implementation. As part of this, Ministers have confirmed the introduction of a new 100% non-domestic rates relief for reverse vending machines installed by retailers to accept returned packaging.

"We continue to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including through our Implementation Advisory Group, and would encourage anyone with an interest to offer their views on the recently published draft legislation to establish the scheme."

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