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Chamber and committees

Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 4 August 2025
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Displaying 867 contributions

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Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Deposit Return Scheme

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Lorna Slater

That would be required to extend the deadline. However, late applications are being accepted. That has not been a hard cut-off. Businesses can still apply, and they continue to do so.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Deposit Return Scheme

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Lorna Slater

They need to register, but they can go through the process to get those labels. It was identified that redesigning packaging on the timescale given was a barrier to businesses, and Circularity Scotland came up with that really practical labelling solution so that that is no longer a barrier.

We are looking at what else we need to do with regard to the producers who have not signed up. Do they understand the package of measures that are on the table? I know that the committee took evidence from—

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Deposit Return Scheme

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Lorna Slater

That is how such schemes normally work. It is the case that return points need to take bottles back and store them until they are collected. I understand that, when a retailer registers to be a return point, it enters information on how many returns it expects to receive and how much storage space it has. That allows Biffa to put in its schedule how often materials need to be collected. That is normal for retailers. They will need to be able to store materials until they can be collected.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Deposit Return Scheme

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Lorna Slater

When items are returned, they need to be stored until they can be collected. Businesses already have storage space for various recycling materials and packaging materials. What is proposed is very similar to that. It is up to each business to figure out how it can store the materials. Unless they are exempt, businesses have an obligation to be a return point if they sell the materials. Biffa and Circularity Scotland are very happy to work with businesses to find out how that will work for them.

There is no particular rule about how businesses must store the returns. They could adapt to store them behind the counter, and I have seen versions that involve having designated wheelie bins in a secure area. There is a variety of ways to adapt storage space, and businesses can make the right decisions for them.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Deposit Return Scheme

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Lorna Slater

As far as I know, the exemption will last until a business wishes it to end. I am not aware of there being a certain timeframe, but I will be very happy to come back to the committee to provide clarity if that is not the case.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Deposit Return Scheme

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Lorna Slater

No. They just need to then apply to be a return point operator. That is fine.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Deposit Return Scheme

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Lorna Slater

Those exemptions were built into the regulations. That is not new; they were already in there. We streamlined the process to make it more straightforward for businesses to apply for exemption. We have brought in Zero Waste Scotland as our partner on that. There is no change to the regulations. We are just implementing them in what we hope is an easier and more practical way.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Deposit Return Scheme

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Lorna Slater

I am not hearing strong calls for the system to be an opt-in system. The obligation remains for anyone who sells these materials to be a return point for them, unless they are exempt and have applied for an exemption.

We have made the exemption process as simple and as streamlined as we can. Now that businesses are starting to use that process—registration for return points is open—I am sure that they will give us feedback and we can continue to make the system simpler and more straightforward, although it is already fairly straightforward for businesses. They can say that they are exempt for health and safety reasons and they are not that comfortable with handling glass on their premises. They can apply for an exemption and that can be done in a straightforward way.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Deposit Return Scheme

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Lorna Slater

That is correct.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Deposit Return Scheme

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Lorna Slater

Can you repeat your second point?