A Scottish minister has accused the UK authorities of “sabotage” after it dominated Scotland’s deposit return scheme (DRS) might solely go forward if glass bottles have been faraway from the environmental initiative.
Lorna Slater, who’s co-leader of the Scottish Greens, mentioned ministers at Holyrood must “look very seriously at where this leaves the viability” of the plan, which goals to extend recycling of single-use drinks containers.
It would see 20p added to the value of such bottles and cans, to be refunded to individuals who return them to a store or enterprise that supply them.
First Minister Humza Yousaf has mentioned it will be a “democratic outrage” for the federal government to solely enable DRS to go forward with out glass.
He criticised Conservative ministers on Twitter for “demanding” glass be dropped from the Scottish scheme, regardless of laws handed by Holyrood particularly together with this.
The scheme, which begins in March 2024, can now solely embody PET plastic bottles and aluminium and metal cans.
With related schemes in the remainder of the UK not on account of come into impact till 2025, Scottish ministers had been pressured to search an exemption from the Internal Market Act, amid considerations commerce between the 4 nations might be impacted.
Ms Slater mentioned: “Once again the UK government has shown utter disregard for devolution.
“Scottish ministers obtained the UK authorities’s resolution letter at 10pm on a Friday night time, greater than 12 hours after its contents [were] briefed to press. This is treating the Scottish parliament with contempt.
“Despite discussions over the last two years, this is an eleventh-hour attempt by the UK government to sabotage Scotland’s deposit return scheme by forcing us to remove glass bottles.
“This is at odds with all of the proof that claims the most important advantages, economically, financially and environmentally, are from together with glass.”
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A UK authorities spokesperson mentioned: “The drinks trade has raised considerations in regards to the Scottish authorities’s deposit return scheme differing from plans in the remainder of the UK, ensuing within the Scottish authorities reviewing and pausing their scheme earlier this 12 months.
“We have listened to these concerns and that is why we have accepted the Scottish government’s request for a UK Internal Market (UKIM) exclusion on a temporary and limited basis to ensure the Scottish government’s scheme aligns with planned schemes for the rest of the UK.”
The spokesperson added: “Deposit return schemes need to be consistent across the UK and this is the best way to provide a simple and effective system.
“A system with the identical guidelines for the entire UK will enhance recycling assortment charges and scale back litter – in addition to minimise disruption to the drinks trade and guarantee simplicity for shoppers.”
Content Source: information.sky.com