A Lanarkshire-based MSP has welcomed the announcement of 140 new jobs which are being created in Motherwell as part of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
Gillian Mackay says she is “delighted” at the news of the employment boost for North Lanarkshire.
From August 16 this year, people will pay a 20p deposit when they buy a drink in a bottle or can. The empty containers can be returned to one of the thousands of return points that will be available and claim 20p back for each of them.
Waste management company Biffa is investing more than £80m to develop the infrastructure needed to deliver DRS in Scotland and around 500 jobs will be created across Scotland. A former parcel depot at Eurocentral industrial park is being transformed into a state-of-the-art recycling centre.
Following the launch of the scheme, the Motherwell site will play a pivotal role and form part of a network of facilities across Scotland that will count, sort and bale the billions of plastic, glass and aluminium drinks containers collected through the DRS each year. The material will then be recycled back into brand new bottles and cans.
Around 140 jobs will be created at the new facility, including multi-skilled operatives, HGV drivers, weighbridge operators and managers.
Gillian Mackay, Scottish Green MSP for Central Scotland, said: “I am delighted that the Deposit Return Scheme is already creating so many high quality jobs in Motherwell.
“This scheme will be a turning point for Scotland’s relationship with recycling and litter, and I am very glad that Motherwell will be playing its part while securing vital investment in our community.
“We can all see the problem, with far too many of our streets and communities being blighted by cans and bottles.
“Despite all of the scaremongering and the misinformation we have seen from the Tories, I know that people in Motherwell value our local economy and environment, and that they will welcome this fantastic news.
“It will also set the model for how successful deposit return schemes can operate across the UK. I am proud that it is being delivered by a Green Minister.”
However, Meghan Gallacher, Conservative MSP for Central Scotland, has labelled the scheme "flawed".
She said: “Everybody wants to see a successful, workable system that boosts recycling and creates employment, but Lorna Slater’s Deposit Return Scheme, in its current form, is fatally flawed and could force Scottish firms out of business.
“If Gillian Mackay thinks this is just Scottish Conservative ‘scaremongering’, she clearly hasn’t been paying attention.
“Scottish producers, wholesalers, supermarkets, and the hospitality industry have all pleaded with ministers to halt their reckless scheme until the problems with it are ironed out.
“Indeed, the three candidates to become Scotland’s next First Minister have all expressed reservations about it, with one warning it would lead to ‘economic carnage’.”
Circularity Scotland was was established in 2021, set up by drinks producers, trade associations and retailers and was approved by the Scottish Government as the single scheme administrator.
Gavin Money, Biffa’s DRS Operations Director, said: “We are working closely with Circularity Scotland and progressing well with the exciting and ambitious plans for the launch of DRS in Scotland, which will see new recycling infrastructure developed across the country.
“The Motherwell site will play a key role as a regional collection and counting hub, handling some of the billions of plastic, glass and metal drinks containers collected each year from across Scotland.”
David Harris, Circularity Scotland Chief Executive, said: “This is another important milestone in preparing for the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme in August. The DRS will transform how Scotland recycles, preventing billions of bottles and cans each year from ending up as waste.
"This is a ground-breaking initiative that can act as a catalyst for the green economy in Scotland, creating jobs and supporting local economies while also helping protect our environment for generations to come.”
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