Scotland has been given permission by the UK government to introduce a deposit return system (DRS) for plastic drinks bottles and metal cans, but not for beverage containers made of glass. The stipulation is part of the exception to UK internal market rules that Scotland needs to launch its DRS ahead of the scheme being planned for neighbouring England. Environment is a policy area where the devolved Scottish Parliament and government have broad authority, but an exception under the Internal Market Act (IMA) must be secured from Westminster where environmental regulation could result in internal trade barriers.
Scotland's DRS is now set to go live on 1 March 2024. In April, then still waiting for the internal market exception, the Scottish government decided to delay the kick-off, which had been planned for 16 August of this year. Details on the launch of the DRS planned for the remainder of the UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), including launch date and scope, were announced early this year....
