Herbert Walkers continues £10m expansion with new Speedmaster XL 106
Herbert Walkers will take delivery of its second Speedmaster XL 106 from Heidelberg in June.
Packaging data services provider Ecoveritas has welcomed fresh guidance from the Scottish government that it says will significantly reduce the Deposit Return Scheme’s cost for industry and consumers
Packaging data services provider Ecoveritas has welcomed fresh guidance from the Scottish government that it says will significantly reduce the Deposit Return Scheme’s (DRS) cost for industry and consumers.
Thousands of smaller retailers will be able to opt out of the UK's first DRS, which will in turn help save on costs.
Other new features to support retailers include a new return point mapping and exemption support service, as well as confirmation that the size of premises will be considered when determining the risk of breaching obligations relating to environmental health.
In addition, it was confirmed that evidence and assessment processes for specialist, food service and hospitality retailers will be streamlined to make life easier for retailers.
Scotland’s first DRS is due to go live in August 2023, with the government aiming to achieve a 90% collection rate for materials in scope by 2025.
Andrew McCaffery, global EPR director at Ecoveritas, comments: “This latest guidance is a triumph for common sense and another step towards a workable solution. Droves of smaller retail outlets will likely be breathing a sigh of relief, thanks to a much simpler process of applying for exemptions and a significant reduction in the operational burden of the scheme.
“We must avoid unnecessary, further hardship for lower-income families.
"There are still challenges to overcome, such as mapping a satisfactory, accessible and inclusive network of return points while maintaining an environmentally efficient scheme and the feasibility of online takeback. This is something that the UK, Welsh, and Northern Ireland governments will be keen to observe.
"There are welcome clarifications for environmental health exemptions, particularly concerning the footprint of premises, and much more manageable processes outlined for the specialist, food service and hospitality retailers.
“The considerable cost and lack of readiness will have played their part, but the Scottish government is determined to get this right, so they are to be applauded.”
