MPs argue for Deposit Return Scheme to be consistent across UK

Deposit Return Scheme should be consistent across the UK with cartons included, the Environmental Audit Committee has suggested.

Responding to the government’s consultation on DRS for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the committee has called for Defra to introduce a scheme which is interoperable throughout the UK.

In its submission, the committee also recommended that cartons be included in the deposit return scheme, which is not currently within the government’s scope. It suggested the inclusion of all sizes of packaging within the scope of the scheme as part of an ‘all-in’ model.

Commenting on the inclusion of glass, the committee suggested taking into consideration the safety and space concerns for small retailers. It proposed to include the material, depending on glass being compacted rather than crushed.

“It is absolutely right for producers to become responsible for the whole lifecycle of their packaging, but it must be fair across sectors,” Philip Dunne MP, chair of the committee, said.

“That is why the government must ensure the DRS roll-out includes all materials and allows the Deposit Management Organisation to determine the fee structure across sectors.”

In its report, the committee also recognises concerns about the difficulties of operating a manual returns system, and the need for a well-designed set of return points, noting: “We welcome the approach to not specify the type of return point that retailers will be obligated to provide, given the challenges for small retailers for manual collection, and the possibility for future technological development.

“We also welcome that accessibility and ease of return is a crucial principle in the return point policy, although this should also be balanced against the cost of unnecessary duplication of reverse vending machines which are expensive.”

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the committee recommendations, saying it recognises a number of challenges faced by small retailers.

James Lowman, ACS chief executive said: “We welcome the committee’s recognition of the challenges faced by small stores who would be responsible for making a deposit return scheme work. Convenience stores are committed to working with the government on developing an effective, well designed scheme that boosts recycling rates, but which must not place unnecessary burdens on retailers.”