'We are in limbo', say Scottish independent retailers over DRS

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has repeated calls for the Scottish government to think carefully before potentially delaying the troubled deposit return scheme (DRS).

Mo Razzaq, the Fed’s national deputy vice president and shop owner from Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, says smaller store owners have been left in the dark because of the uncertainty surrounding the scheme.

He said: “We are gravely concerned about the fact that there is no proper information coming from the Scottish government – we are in limbo.

“We are now just six months away from the proposed launch day and many of our members are angry and frustrated by reports that DRS could be delayed yet again.

"Many retailers have already invested in changes to the layout and fittings in their shops to accommodate the returned bottles and cans. Some shops are also investing money they can't afford in leased machines to handle the empties. We urge the Scottish Government to think carefully about yet another delay to this scheme.”

The Fed’s annual Scottish conference in Glasgow on March 13 will include a panel to discuss DRS, and Mr Razzaq says members want straight answers on how and when the scheme will operate.

He added: “These issues should have been resolved over the five years that this scheme has been in planning.

“We want the Scottish government and the official agencies to sort out these problems as soon as possible but not kick the deposit scheme into the long grass – yet again. If there is another delay, then retailers who have lost out financially should be compensated.

"Like members of the public, our members are concerned about the impact on our streets, beaches and seas if there is a further delay to this scheme to ensure more empties are recycled."