Scotland’s proposed 20p deposit return scheme for bottles and cans must not penalise those living in rural areas, MSPs have warned.
The first DRS in the UK will cover glass and plastic bottles, as well as aluminium and steel drinks cans, sold from any shop in Scotland.
A report by the Scottish Parliament’s Environment Committee said the initiative would have a lasting impact on climate change and notes it has widespread support.
But the report has also called on the government to ensure the scheme does not make life more difficult for people with limited mobility, low incomes or living on islands and in other remote places.
The report raises concerns that small businesses would be required to provide drop off points, which would put a burden on rural enterprises and affect competition.
On the Isle of Harris, there were concerns about extra pressure on mobile and community shops in terms of increased storage, transport and cash handling.
Islanders also raised the extra burden on friends and neighbours supporting older and vulnerable people without transport.
The committee said the Scheme Administrator would have to ensure rural areas had enough return points.
Committee convener Gillian Martin, SNP MSP for Aberdeenshire East, said the scheme had to be “understandable and easy to use”.
She added: “We have heard from many businesses about their concerns about how this will operate in practice.
“We believe the Scottish Government needs to listen to these concerns and we have asked for more information on the operation of the scheme before this is rolled out.”
The report to Holyrood also calls for the scheme to be extended to include other materials such as cartons, pouches and other plastics and said infrastructure had to be put in place to operate it.
MSPs on the committee have recommended the establishment of a scheme administrator to liaise with small businesses, councils, wholesalers, producers, waste management and environment experts and trades unions.
The scheme administrator should, the report suggests, have the scope to vary the 20p figure.
The suggestion was made after MSPs heard the 20p deposit – which shoppers will get back when they return their empty containers – could persuade people to buy larger sizes of drinks.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Fairness and accessibility are key design principles in the scheme and the ‘return to retail’ model will ensure people can return containers with the same ease they bought them, no matter where they live in Scotland.
“This includes a duty on retailers who deliver shopping to provide a collection service.
“These measures will ensure no-one will be left out of pocket through not being able to reclaim their deposits.”
