The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has welcomed today’s announcement that the deposit return scheme (DRS) in Scotland has been postponed yet again – but is calling for retailers who have already signed contracts for reverse vending machines (RVMs) to be compensated for the delay.
The Fed has supported the scheme from the outset but has concerns over a lack of information from the Scottish government on how the scheme will work and fears over increased costs to smaller retailers acting as return points.
Glasgow store owner and deputy vice president of the Fed, Mo Razzaq, was due to meet Lorna Slater, Scotland’s minister for green skills, circular economy and biodiversity, today to express the Fed’s concerns over DRS.
Mr Razzaq said: “It makes sense to delay the launch because communication from the Scottish government has been poor and it will help retailers due to all the mixed messages we have been getting.
“We still have a lot of unanswered questions and we will be demanding compensation for those retailers that have already entered into expensive contracts for the RVMs required to operate the scheme.
“Many of our members have spent large sums of money buying RVMs and altering the layout of their stores to be prepared for the launch of the scheme in August.
“We will also continue to push the government for grants to help pay for the machines. The Irish government has said it will help smaller retailers in this way, and we urge the Scottish government to follow Ireland’s lead.”
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