THE Scottish Greens have said that it is “deeply regrettable” to see other MSPs “spreading misinformation and panic” about the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
This comes ahead of the launch of the new programme in August, which Lorna Slater said on Tuesday would “absolutely” be going ahead in line with the deadline.
A cross-party group of MSPs co-signed a letter to the First Minister calling for the forthcoming scheme to be halted.
The scheme will see people pay a 20p deposit when they buy a drink in a single-use container and then get this back when they return the empty bottle or can.
The Scottish Greens environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell said: “You expect this level of relentless negativity, half-truths and distortion from the Tories, but to see MSPs from other parties joining them is disappointing to say the least.”
The Greens say that the letter cites a Scottish Government Gateway Review from May of last year as one of the reasons the scheme should be halted.
However, a further review of the project’s status was carried out in October 2022 and concluded that “the DRS programme has gained increased momentum and is in a much improved position.
The letter went on to raise concerns it the scheme could be “damaging to the environment” because it could result in “possibly millions of extra van or lorry journeys to operate the proposed new collection system”.
However, the Greens have cited research from Zero Waste Scotland which found that DRS will reduce CO2 emissions by four million tonnes over 25 years, the equivalent of taking 83,000 cars off the road.
Last week the UK Treasury wrote to Lorna Slater which said the UK Government was in full support of “the environmental objectives of the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme”.
This is despite Scottish Secretary Alister Jack telling Holyrood that it was not too late to re-think the plans.
Ruskell continued: “We are in a climate emergency, and that needs a bold and ambitious response. The DRS is an important part of that response, and I am confident it will be recognised as one of the proudest achievements of devolution.
“The DRS will be vital to increasing recycling and cutting waste. It will be a big step towards cleaner streets and communities.
“At the last election we committed to delivering this scheme, and I am proud that with Scottish Greens in government that is exactly what we’re doing.
“It is a robust scheme and I am proud that it is being delivered by a Green minister.”
