• Circularity Scotland calls on retailers and producers to begin preparing for scheme
  • Scheme administrator confirms Executive Team appointments and achievement of latest milestones ahead of scheme going live
  • Scheme expected to result in 90% of drinks containers being recycled

With one year to go until Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme goes live, Circularity Scotland, the scheme administrator, is calling on producers, retailers and hospitality venues across Scotland to begin preparing for one of the most significant environmental infrastructure projects ever seen in the UK.

Scotland’s DRS has the goal to ensure that 90% of drinks containers are recycled and aims to drive Scotland’s move to a circular economy. Every business that makes or sells drinks in single use glass or plastic bottles or cans will be impacted by the scheme.

Circularity Scotland was set up by industry and is responsible for developing and operating the infrastructure to collect drinks containers from all parts of the country and ensuring that the scheme will run as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.  

Formal registration with the scheme will open in December and producers and those who will operate return points across Scotland are being encouraged to sign up to the Circularity Scotland website now to receive all the information they will need to help them prepare.

In recent months Circularity Scotland has secured £18m in commercial loans to support the set-up phase of the scheme and will shortly be moving into carbon net zero offices in the heart of Glasgow. In July, in a move that is expected to create 500 jobs in Scotland, it appointed leading sustainable waste management firm Biffa as the official logistics service provider, with responsibility for collecting and processing for recycling the billions of drinks containers purchased by Scottish consumers each year.

David Harris is leading CSL as its Chief Executive and has built a strong Executive Team with unparalleled experience in developing and implementing r complex and large-scale projects. Former Heineken CIO Derrick Wood has now been appointed as Chief Technology Officer, Simon Jones, who was previously VP of Operations for DHL and General Manager, Distribution for Tesco, as Chief Operating Officer, while Tristan Turnbull joins as Commercial and Legal Director, having most recently been with John Menzies Aviation.  

In the coming days, Circularity Scotland will also be issuing details of the fees for producers who appoint CSL, meaning that the organisation will have hit all major milestones to date in the build up to the scheme’s “go live” on 16th August 2023.

David Harris, Circularity Scotland Chief Executive said: “The progress made since Circularity Scotland was formed by industry is extremely encouraging, and we now have in place the infrastructure, funding and team to ensure that the scheme is a success and there is a clear roadmap until the scheme goes live and beyond.

Of course, there is plenty more to do before August 16th, 2023, and we know that both drinks producers and those who will act as return point operators will need to make changes to how they operate. We’re here to support them in their preparations and would encourage them to sign up with us now to access all the information they need. We know that by working together we can make a huge difference in tackling climate change and support the growth of the circular economy in Scotland.”

Producers and return point operators should visit circularityscotland.com for more information and sign up on the website for regular updates.