Update: Key changes announced for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme

In a recent speech, The First Minister announced that the Deposit Return Scheme Go-Live date has been moved from 16th August 2023 to 1st March 2024. 

The Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater also provided details of simplification of the Scheme in a later statement. 

Some of the changes announced are:  

• drinks containers of under 100ml will be excluded, removing miniatures and other smaller containers from the scheme. 

• products that sell fewer than 5,000 units per year will be excluded, which will particularly benefit craft producers. 

• all hospitality premises that sell the large majority of their drinks products for consumption on the premises will be exempt from acting as a return point. 

• the online application process for retailers to apply for an exemption from providing a return point has been simplified. 

More information can be found about these changes and others on the Scottish Government website. Members can also contact the scheme administrator Circularity Scotland’s  Customer Service Team on 0141 401 0899, or via the contact form.