Scottish DRS could put glass recycling in reverse and increase use of plastic

By James Halliwell

Published: 22 May, 2019

UK glass manufacturers have warned the Scottish deposit recycling scheme, which includes glass, will “prompt a switch to plastic packaging” and could result in “plant closures and job losses”.

It also expressed disappointment that the views of industry and retailers have been “ignored” and that post-DRS, the current glass collection rate will be cut from 67% to 60%.

Iceland, The Scottish Retail Consortium and The Scottish Beer and Pub Association have all argued that glass should be excluded from the DRS. And members of the glass manufacturing sector said they are already committed to maximising the use of recycled glass and support any initiatives to increase it.

The UK glass sector has targets in place for glass collection to hit 85% by 2030, but argues this is only achievable under an alternative Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme.

It believes the “way forward” to increase glass recycling and deliver a “true circular economy” is to support the proposed EPR scheme planned for 2021 under the EU Packaging Waste Directive.

It said EPR-based collection and recycling systems across Europe have “proven to deliver the highest recycling rates, with no deposit, and - importantly for consumers - lower cost”.

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