Wales pushes on with own Deposit Return Scheme
A 12-week DRS consultation was announced by deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies.
The Welsh government has announced it is moving forward with its own Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which crucially is to include glass containers. A 12-week consultation announced by deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies, which will runs until 10th November, will inform Wales' approach to implementing a scheme that includes glass drink containers and prioritises reuse over traditional recycling methods.
However, the news has been met with concern by UKHospitality Cymru, which highlights the fact that the Wales plans do not align with the rest of the UK when it comes to DRS. This could prove problematic for suppliers and operators that work in multiple countries across the UK.
"While we recognise the Welsh government’s economic and environmental goals for its planned DRS, its insistence on going ahead with a scheme that includes glass and is not fully aligned to the rest of the UK remains a significant concern," said David Chapman, executive director of UKHospitality Cymru.
"It’s fundamental that there is alignment when DRS is introduced – whether that it through our preferred approach of Wales rejoining a UK-wide scheme or the Welsh government taking a pragmatic approach of full alignment with the UK as part of a transitional period for two years. If the Welsh government chooses not to heed the concerns of businesses and presses ahead with a scheme it intends to go live in two years, with extremely limited detail, it will be Welsh consumers that suffer."
Working together
Chapman said that a divergent scheme in Wales could lead to reduced choice in restaurants, hotels, pubs and cafés, as some suppliers choose to no longer supply the Welsh market.
"Working together across the UK is the most surefire way to reach our recycling and sustainability goals together," he added. "Pursuing separate schemes will only be to the detriment of those goals, and Welsh businesses and consumers. I would strongly urge the Welsh government to think again."
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