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WASTE

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230801

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DRS/EPR GetBack/ WeChooseReuse pulling it all together

The UK's Deposit Return Scheme has lost its way - we need to move it forward


https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MZlvrHhmcQH5XFDOH3P8YiGsuo6bIJWi?usp=drive_link


Introduction


Webinar


Speakers' Presentations - 10 May 2022


https://zerowastecities.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Presentation-RSVP-Summary-Report_Webinar_May-2022_PDF.pdf


https://zerowastecities.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/220510_Presentation_Zero_Waste_Europe.pdf starts at 30.00


https://zerowastecities.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/JEAN-BOUTEILLE-PRESENTATION.pdf starts at 50.58 - 1.03




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Latest on Scotland's DRS. The following six topics give an overview of DRS AND EPR. A priority topic . Let Mark know if you want to collaborate on this.



www.haveyougotthebottle.org.uk

Have You Got the Bottle?

The Scottish campaign for a deposit return system for drinks packaging.



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< Back

Briefing paper on Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme

The Scottish Government has confirmed that it will be introducing a deposit return scheme to Scotland, as planned on 16th August 2023, counteracting recent calls to delay the scheme again.

Friends of the Earth Scotland supports the introduction of the Scottish DRS, as planned and on time. Any delays beyond August 2023 are unnecessary, will lead to serious environmental impacts and be detrimental to the Scottish Government’s reputation to deliver its environmental agenda. 

Read more about DRS and the issues surrounding it in our briefing paper.


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"Scotland’s glass bottle deposit plan is being kicked down the road by warring politicians."

Sabotage' claims over whisky industry lobbying of Scottish Government



www.theguardian.com

Scotland’s glass bottle deposit plan is being kicked down the road by warring politicians | Kat Jones

The environmentally sound scheme is being lost in a battle over who wields the real power after devolution, says Kat Jones, director of Action to Protect Rural Scotland




www.heraldscotland.com

'Sabotage' claims over whisky industry  lobbying of Scottish Government on DRS

The multinational whisky industry has been by far the biggest lobbyist against the Scottish Government’s deposit return scheme, prompting…


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Bottle deposit scheme in Scotland

Some interesting thoughts about Glass and the DRS

Peter Howe via groups.io 


Mon, 6 Mar, 20:27 (


I note the attached doc from Britglass makes the point that any heavy metals remain trapped in the glass making process, allowing the glass to remain food safe despite any build up of heavy metals.

I imagine the battery industry would be interested in extracting both lead & cadmium if that process were viable & economic.

The article makes clear the importance of separating glass from other recyclables. Several councils across the UK already collect glass separately from other recyclables that process could obviously could be disseminated. It is The same argument for separating paper to significantly raise recycling rates.

The use of standardised reuseable bottles & jars, the majority of these products are likely to reach end of use when chipped rather than broken. Educating the consumer to return these to the retailer in any case, that will provide a source of quality recycled glass ready to convert to cullit.

The sorting of coloured glass from clear is obviously an issue.Hourglass does make clear they would much prefer to keep the levels of recycled glass or cullit very high as this significantly lessens their carbon footprint as less energy to produce same quantity glass plus less raw materials to source & transport.I

I am no expert but these people clearly are. I would hasten to suggest that the argument centres more so on recycled plastic or recycled glass as the way forward for a cyclical economy. Clear glass, if sorted, is almost infinitely recyclable. I'm not so convinced regards recycled plastic but I am prepared to be educated by those in the know ...



On 5 March 2023, at 20:16, "Nic Lee via groups.io" <nicglee=yahoo.co.uk@groups.io> wrote:



So, standardisation and reuse is a much better option?


On Sunday, 5 March 2023 at 14:37:01 GMT, Simon Nicholson <simonjnicholson81@gmail.com> wrote:



There is one issue with recycling glass: you can't just melt it down and reform it unfortunately due to non-uniform quality and colour variations.


All "recycled" glass has additives - silica sand, calcium carbonate etc added to provide a usable product.


In theory glass can be recycled infinitely but each reincarnation concentrates the levels of heavy metal content, namely lead and cadmium.


Here is a very interesting link which explains the why's and wherefor's in layman's terms.


https://www.britglass.org.uk/sites/default/files/00016-E2-2019_Recycled_content_in_glass_packaging_WEB.pdf



From: UKWIN@groups.io <UKWIN@groups.io> on behalf of Alison <eap19014@gmail.com>

Sent: Saturday, March 4, 2023 10:11:52 AM

To: UKWIN@groups.io <UKWIN@groups.io>

Subject: Re: [ukwin] Bottle depisit scheme in Scotland.

 


Morning all,


Following our recent discussion re: the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) - I have noted that Defra announced during early 2022 their intention to exclude glass bottles from the DRS for England and NI.  


Part of their justification states: “Including glass bottles in a DRS would have led to over two million more tonnes of CO2 in our atmosphere, split glass food and beverage packaging into two waste streams, reduce the amount and the quality of recycled material available to be used again in glass bottles and led to more plastic packaging on the market."


Do we know why the inclusion of glass bottles in a DRS creates 2 million more tonnes of CO2?  


Why would glass food and (glass) beverage packaging would need separate waste streams ? 


As previously indicated glass is non-incinerable therefore is it safe to assume this material is excluded from the Local Authority Waste stats?


British Glass on the exclusion of bottles from DRS | GlassOnline.com - The World's Leading Glass Industry Website


Glass bottles excluded from deposit return plans - BBC News


thanks,  Alison 


On Sat, Mar 4, 2023 at 2:32 PM Peter Howe <peterhowe14@outlook.com> wrote:

I have to say I would look to go much further with standardising all glass jars to minimise food wastage in same  (who hasn't done battle with a ketchup container for last remnants) & get all condiments, yogurts, cream etc in such glass jars to join milk & drinks in this circular fashion. Once the production lines are changed, it shouldn't need repeating & the shelf stacking space required for each product is then standardised. All the supermarkets / suppliers can then use each others jars to replenish. I may be missing something here. Perhaps I am oversimplifying but as yet this shouts common sense to me.



Thank you for your informed response Alison.


I am just an observer in this case and I'm basing my comments on all round observations from the standpoint of neutrality.


I am with the Scottish Greens in their support of the scheme.


However human error will send depositted bottles south of the border but the deposit cannot be charged, leaving a financial loophole for a canny business to make money by transporting back across the border for profit.


The further south the larger the carbon footprint which negates the net carbon zero ethic it is trying to support.


It does make sense to launch the scheme in a more co-ordinated way as indicated by some members of all parties whatever colour they represent. 


At the end of the day we all want the same outcome but, as they say "decide in haste, repent at leisure". A little more commonsense and consultation across all borders whether geographic or political will get a more workable and sustainable outcome long-term.


I hear there is total disarray with the proposed implementation of legislation from the Scottish govt in the attempt to launch a 20p deposit on plastic bottles produced in Scotland in isolation.


The ill thought out idea took no consideration of deposit bottles exported to England etc. and a political wag stated it would create a convoy of skip waggons causing traffic jams heading north to claim their deposits!


Unless it is launched in co-operation with the rest of the mainland at minimum it becomes unrealistic and unattainable. All the good ideas but no real thinking.......


One day!

Regards

Simon

That's nonsense. Of course that was considered. Bar codes for each bottle so only bottles with a deposit can be returned and get the 20p back. You've completely swallowed the right wing media's attempt to scupper it so the Tories can get the credit for launching it next year rather than the Scottish Government being pioneers like they were with the plastic bag levy. 

Just released this. 

Deposit Return Scheme is vital step on journey to a cleaner and greener future

 

Highlands and Islands Greens are very much looking forward to the launch of Scotland’s deposit Return Scheme which will be a vital step on our journey to a cleaner, greener future, say the Scottish Greens.

 

"I'm looking forward to spotting the first reverse vending machine and hoping there will be a lot less litter to collect and we will stop the terrible waste of so many resources" says Co-convenor, Anne Thomas. 

 

Speaking on the Sunday Show this morning, the Scottish Greens co-leader, Lorna Slater MSP, who is overseeing the launch of the Scheme, said: “This scheme is so important for how we reach net zero in Scotland. It is so important for how we clean up our parks and get broken glass off our streets. I know businesses are committed to making it work, as am I.”

 

The scheme will go live on August 16th.

 

The Scottish Greens environment spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP said: "All of us have seen how cans, bottles and glass are blighting our coasts, streets and communities. That is why the scheme is so vital.

 

“Any suggestion of a halt or delay to the deposit return scheme would be totally reckless and irresponsible.

 

"All over Scotland there are people and businesses preparing for the launch of the scheme. They have already invested hundreds of millions of pounds in getting the infrastructure ready for it to go live in August.

 

"Automatic return machines are already being installed by retailers across the country and the scheme is creating over 500 green jobs, with recruitment already well underway.

 

"Dropping or even delaying the scheme now wouldn’t just be bad for the planet – it would undermine all of this investment, and it would destroy jobs.

 

"This is a robust scheme that has been designed with industry and is based on successful models around the world. It will be the first of its kind in the UK. It will be a vital step on our journey to a cleaner and greener future.”

 

Anne Thomas

Scotland is ready....  this was debated in the HoL last week.  The following link provides an insight into the debate. 


Scotland: Bottle Deposit Return Scheme - Hansard - UK Parliament


Waste is a devolved matter and therefore Scotland is progressing (leading) with this initiative.  Do we know if bottles included within Scotland's 'returning of bottles' initiative are regarded as other than waste?  Personally, I believe they sit within the waste hierarchy - therefore why is Westminster interfering with a clearly defined devolved matter? 


This subject was debated in the House of Lords last week - it's worth a quick read  Scotland: Bottle Deposit Return Scheme - Hansard - UK Parliament


There is a lot of hyperbole about Scotland's deposit return scheme in the news right now and very few facts. Yesterday, the Scottish Government announced that 90% of the products which fall under the scheme have now been registered by their producers - a strong indication that business, as well as Government is ready and invested in this happening in August. To delay now would cost more - both to the economy and the environment.


It's good news that Wales and England will be launching similar deposit return schemes in the future but Westminster should not be seeking to slow down environmental progress in devolved nations. The largest producers are well practiced at managing varying deposit return schemes across borders. These schemes regularly see recycling rates of 90%. 


Deposit return schemes are an example of extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes - this is based on the idea that the companies which decide to put polluting products on our shelves should pay for the clean up costs. This is how the circular economy will be funded. 


I personally think this is a good idea, not a new idea but a good one. In any new schemes there will be hiccups/problems that will need sorted but to me this is how we as a country learn. X


On 2 Mar 2023, at 08:44, Kim Pratt (FoES) <kpratt@foe.scot> wrote:


There is a lot of hyperbole about Scotland's deposit return scheme in the news right now and very few facts. Yesterday, the Scottish Government announced that 90% of the products which fall under the scheme have now been registered by their producers - a strong indication that business, as well as Government is ready and invested in this happening in August. To delay now would cost more - both to the economy and the environment.


It's good news that Wales and England will be launching similar deposit return schemes in the future but Westminster should not be seeking to slow down environmental progress in devolved nations. The largest producers are well practiced at managing varying deposit return schemes across borders. These schemes regularly see recycling rates of 90%. 


Deposit return schemes are an example of extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes - this is based on the idea that the companies which decide to put polluting products on our shelves should pay for the clean up costs. This is how the circular economy will be funded. 


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Scottish Deposit Return Scheme

Thread about DRS in Scotland

On Tue, Feb 28, 2023 at 6:04 PM Simon Nicholson <simonjnicholson81@gmail.com> wrote:

I hear there is total disarray with the proposed implementation of legislation from the Scottish govt in the attempt to launch a 20p deposit on plastic bottles produced in Scotland in isolation.

The ill thought out idea took no consideration of deposit bottles exported to England etc. and a political wag stated it would create a convoy of skip waggons causing traffic jams heading north to claim their deposits!

Unless it is launched in co-operation with the rest of the mainland at minimum it becomes unrealistic and unattainable. 

All the good ideas but no real thinking.......One day!

Regards

Simon


Anne Thomas anne.katherine.thomas@gmail.com via groups.io 28 Feb 2023, 19:35 (2 days ago)to UKWIN


That's nonsense. Of course that was considered. Bar codes for each bottle so only bottles with a deposit can be returned and get the 20p back. 

You've completely swallowed the right wing media's attempt to scupper it so the Tories can get the credit for launching it next year rather than the Scottish Government being pioneers like they were with the plastic bag levy. 

Just released this. 


Deposit Return Scheme is vital step on journey to a cleaner and greener future 

Highlands and Islands Greens are very much looking forward to the launch of Scotland’s deposit Return Scheme which will be a vital step on our journey to a cleaner, greener future, say the Scottish Greens. 

"I'm looking forward to spotting the first reverse vending machine and hoping there will be a lot less litter to collect and we will stop the terrible waste of so many resources" says Co-convenor, Anne Thomas.  

Speaking on the Sunday Show this morning, the Scottish Greens co-leader, Lorna Slater MSP, who is overseeing the launch of the Scheme, said: “This scheme is so important for how we reach net zero in Scotland. It is so important for how we clean up our parks and get broken glass off our streets. I know businesses are committed to making it work, as am I.” 

The scheme will go live on August 16th. 

The Scottish Greens environment spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP said: "All of us have seen how cans, bottles and glass are blighting our coasts, streets and communities. That is why the scheme is so vital. 

“Any suggestion of a halt or delay to the deposit return scheme would be totally reckless and irresponsible. "All over Scotland there are people and businesses preparing for the launch of the scheme. They have already invested hundreds of millions of pounds in getting the infrastructure ready for it to go live in August. 

"Automatic return machines are already being installed by retailers across the country and the scheme is creating over 500 green jobs, with recruitment already well underway. "

Dropping or even delaying the scheme now wouldn’t just be bad for the planet – it would undermine all of this investment, and it would destroy jobs. 

"This is a robust scheme that has been designed with industry and is based on successful models around the world. It will be the first of its kind in the UK. It will be a vital step on our journey to a cleaner and greener future.” 


Anne ThomasDrumsmittal ParkDrumsmittalNorth Kessock IV1 3XF@AnneTho39135248 0146373130307775583749https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anne-Thomas/356725474379032   


Simon Nicholson simonjnicholson81@gmail.com via groups.io 14:31 (6 hours ago)to UKWIN


Thank you for your informed response Alison.

I am just an observer in this case and I'm basing my comments on all round observations from the standpoint of neutrality.

I am with the Scottish Greens in their support of the scheme.However human error will send depositted bottles south of the border but the deposit cannot be charged, leaving a financial loophole for a canny business to make money by transporting back across the border for profit.

The further south the larger the carbon footprint which negates the net carbon zero ethic it is trying to support.

It does make sense to launch the scheme in a more co-ordinated way as indicated by some members of all parties whatever colour they represent. 

At the end of the day we all want the same outcome but, as they say "decide in haste, repent at leisure". 

A little more commonsense and consultation across all borders whether geographic or political will get a more workable and sustainable outcome long-term.


Alison eap19014@gmail.com via groups.io 1 Mar 2023, 08:17 (1 day ago)to UKWIN


Scotland is ready....  this was debated in the HoL last week.  The following link provides an insight into the debate. Scotland: Bottle Deposit Return Scheme - Hansard - UK Parliament


Alison eap19014@gmail.com via groups.io 1 Mar 2023, 08:56 (1 day ago)to UKWIN


Waste is a devolved matter and therefore Scotland is progressing (leading) with this initiative.  Do we know if bottles included within Scotland's 'returning of bottles' initiative are regarded as other than waste?  Personally, I believe they sit within the waste hierarchy - therefore why is Westminster interfering with a clearly defined devolved matter? This subject was debated in the House of Lords last week - it's worth a quick read  Scotland: Bottle Deposit Return Scheme - Hansard - UK Parliament


Kim Pratt (FoES) via groups.io 08:44 (12 hours ago)to UKWIN


There is a lot of hyperbole about Scotland's deposit return scheme in the news right now and very few facts. Yesterday, the Scottish Government announced that 90% of the products which fall under the scheme have now been registered by their producers - a strong indication that business, as well as Government is ready and invested in this happening in August. To delay now would cost more - both to the economy and the environment.

It's good news that Wales and England will be launching similar deposit return schemes in the future but Westminster should not be seeking to slow down environmental progress in devolved nations. The largest producers are well practiced at managing varying deposit return schemes across borders. These schemes regularly see recycling rates of 90%. 

Deposit return schemes are an example of extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes - this is based on the idea that the companies which decide to put polluting products on our shelves should pay for the clean up costs. This is how the circular economy will be funded. 


Ann Hood via groups.io <anniehood67=yahoo.co.uk@groups.io>09:17 (11 hours ago)to UKWIN


I personally think this is a good idea, not a new idea but a good one. In any new schemes there will be hiccups/problems that will need sorted but to me this is how we as a country learn. X


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Extended Producer Resposibility (EPR)

Manufacturers will become responsible for the full cost of disposing of the packaging waste they create.

This will boost recycling and incentivise the design of reusable and recyclable packaging. The present packaging regulations set more limited recycling targets, which vary according to the type of material.


You may find this page from a previous site useful:

Litter reduction factors


Also:

WHO'S REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR LITTER?


UK Packaging Waste Regulation Reform - first consultation responses published


Manufacturers are “shirking” their responsibilities for tackling waste – say consumers

(Reference "Thinks Insight & Strategy" - brand refresh in February 2023).

EPR Outcomes

Edited extract from  Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Consultation Document 24 March 2021

  • Unnecessary packaging - packaging is avoided; this will help reduce packaging and packaging waste

  • Opportunities to replace single-use packaging with reusable or refillable packaging increase, particularly for consumer products

  • More packaging is designed to be recyclable, so packaging that cannot be recycled will cease to be used where it can be avoided

  • Packaging waste recycling increases. It is proposed that by 2030, 73% of all packaging placed on the UK market and in scope of EPR will be recycled

  • Quality of packaging materials presented for recycling increases across the packaging value chain and more packaging is recycled into higher value and closed loop applications

  • That EPR and the DRS contribute to less packaging being littered.

References


https://consult.defra.gov.uk/extended-producer-responsibility/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging/supporting_documents/23.03.21%20EPR%20Consultation.pdf



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