An SNP MSP has launched a furious attack on a Scottish Government recycling scheme as he accused ministers of overseeing a "sleekit" change in how it operates.
Fergus Ewing said today that Scottish businesses had been "misled, duped, and deceived" by Circularity Scotland, a non-profit organisation set-up to run the deposit return scheme (DRS).
Customers across the country face paying a 20p deposit for every single-use bottle or can they purchase from August as part of a bid to increase recycling.
They will get the money back by returning them over-the-counter to retailers or disposing of them in so-called "reverse vending machines".
Scottish Greens minister Lorna Slater is under mounting pressure to delay or reform the DRS plan following mounting criticism from businesses that it is not fit for purpose.
Ewing today demanded answers on why Circularity Scotland initially told retailers they would be paid for both manual and machine returns in seven days - but then changed it to a month for machine returns.
"For the past 18 months, Circularity Scotland have, in all their documents, on their website and in their presentations, confirmed that payment to retailers using reverse vending machines will be made in seven days," he told MSPs.
"Tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions of pounds, were invested on the basis of those commercial terms."
“Now that seven day period has been extended to one month, a decision taken by Circularity Scotland, with zero consultation with convenience stores, nor any explanation, nor any press release, hidden away in page 23 of this document here.
“Firstly, does the Minister agree that this decision by Circularity Scotland was taken in both an underhand and a sleekit fashion? Second, was she consulted on that decision? And third, will she now order Circularity Scotland limited to rescind that decision?”
Slater claimed businesses had three options – either to apply for an exemption, act as a manual return point or have return vending machines. The second option is the most suitable for small businesses, she said.
But she confirmed there would be “longer” payment terms for those using the machines.
Slater said: "Their payment terms will be longer, but that is very unlikely to affect the small businesses which the member is so concerned about. This is an industry-led scheme, as was agreed across the chamber, and therefore the fees related to the scheme are a matter for industry to decide."
Ewing hit back: "Businesses have been misled, duped, and deceived by Circularity Scotland. There is irrefutable proof of that. The minister has completely failed for the second week running to answer relevant, pertinent, vital questions."
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