News Special: DRS

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DRS advice updated for retailers in Scotland

Circularity Scotland has issued new advice for retailers preparing for the new Deposit Return Scheme.

With Scotland’s new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) set to come into force on 16 August next year the DRS Scheme Administrator, Circularity Scotland, has issued fresh advice and information to retailers to help them prepare for the new regulations.

The DRS will cover all drinks sold in PET plastic, metal and glass which are between 50ml and 3l in size.

RVM V MANUAL

RETURN POINT OPERATORS

As businesses which serves drinks to shoppers to consume off the premises, Premier stores must charge a 20p deposit for each drink sold in an ‘in scope’ container and they must operate a Return Point for customers to return empty containers. Retailers will then be paid a handling fee for every container returned.

This means Premier retailers in Scotland must: l only sell drinks from registered producers l only sell drinks to consumers in Scotland that a producer has made available for sale in

Scotland l charge the 20p deposit when selling a drink that is part of the scheme l make it clear to the customer that the drink is part of the scheme and a deposit applies l clearly display the price of the deposit (20p) in any place that a drink is displayed for sale l clearly display information on how the customer can redeem the deposit l operate a return point (unless exempt) or takeback service l store returned empty containers in a safe way. There will be two main ways to return empty containers: over the counter, or by using a reverse vending machine (RVM). For every eligible container returned, retailers will receive a handling fee to cover the costs associated with taking part in the scheme. For retailers using an RVM, handling fees will be 3.55p per container for the first 8,000 containers returned each week and 1.35p for each additional container. Retailers who opt for manual handling will receive 2.69p per container.

EXEMPTIONS

Retailers can apply for an exemption consideration if they wish, subject to meeting certain criteria. Visit depositreturnscheme. zerowastescotland.org.uk/applications to apply for an exemption.

Key Dates:

January 2022 – Exemption opens for Return Point Operators March 2023 – Registration opens for Return Point Operators August 2023 – DRS scheme goes live for consumers For more information, please visit:

www.circularityscotland.com www.sepa.org.uk/regulations/waste/deposit-return-scheme/

INBRIEF

CASH HITS HIGH

New figures from the Post Office continue to suggest that shoppers are increasingly relying on cash to manage their budgets through the current cost-of-living crisis.

The Post Office handle record amounts of cash in August, up more than 20% year-on-year, despite the fact it is traditionally a quieter month for cash transactions at its branches. In August, £3.45bn in cash deposits and withdrawals were handled at Post Offices. This was the first time the amount had exceeded £3.4bn in a month and was up almost £140m month-on-month.

A record £805m in personal cash withdrawals took place in August, up 0.5% and breaking the previous record set in July. Cash withdrawals were up a huge 21% year-on-year.

It was announced recently that an additional 13 banking hubs would be created, bringing the total to 25. The hubs are shared spaces operated by Post Office and intended for communities whose access to cash has been restricted as a result of bank branch closures.

TALKING TACTICS

What are you doing in-store to stand out in your local market? Share it with us and your Premier retailer colleagues at talkingshop@booker.co.uk