The proposed direction of the scheme was revealed by environment secretary Michael Gove in a speech last week, and was the strongest suggestion to date that a deposit fee would be applied to all drinks, and include plastic and glass bottles alongside aluminium and steel cans.
Scottish retailer Mo Razzaq said the announcement impressed upon him the need for Scotland to build a system that was “fit for purpose”.
“The chances are England will follow suit and, if the Scottish system is not fit for purpose, we’ll get ourselves into a trough,” he said.
Razzaq, who owns a Family Shopper store in Blantyre, called on trade federations to step up their focus on the issue.
“This is going to happen and we need to make sure retailers’ voices are heard,” he said.
Retailer anger as Scottish government reveals DRS policy
Vip Measuria, who runs two One Stop stores in Derby, said: “I welcome anything that focuses on sustainability and saving the planet, but we have to make sure the onus does not rest heavily on the retailer.
“Once a DRS system creates extra work for my staff, then it becomes a problem.” Defra has confirmed it will introduce a deposit return scheme in England and Wales no later than 2023, with a further consultation due in 2020.
What do convenience store owners need to know about the deposit return scheme?
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