Glass bottles row could sink Scotland’s deposit return scheme, first minister says

Humza Yousaf wrote to Rishi Sunak to say decision to remove glass containers from scheme has put environmental plan in ‘danger’

Leaders in Westminster and Holyrood have been urged to get round a table to sort out a growing row over Scotland's deposit return scheme, after the Scottish first minister indicated that it could be scrapped due to restrictions imposed in London.

Humza Yousaf wrote to the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, saying the UK government's decision to in effect remove glass containers from the scheme – under which retailers would take a 20p deposit on single-use containers, refundable on return – has put the whole plan in "grave danger".

He said: "I struggle to see it going ahead, and therefore the UK government have a real choice here. They either agree to the full exemption, which is of course the regulations passed by the Scottish parliament, or they’re in danger of sinking this scheme in its entirety.

"That wouldn't be good for the environment, not good of course for businesses … certainly not good for all of us that want to see litter off our streets, off our parks and our beaches."

The Scottish National party sees the scheme as a key element of its environmental platform, while the Scottish secretary, Alister Jack, had previously criticised it as inflationary. Experts believe it needs an exemption from UK-wide rules preventing different regulations from applying to the same product in England and Scotland. The UK government has agreed that it can go ahead – but only if glass containers are removed from its remit.

On Saturday the scheme's administrator said: "We urge both governments to urgently get round the table and agree a pathway for integrated and harmonised deposit return schemes across the UK."

Yousaf accused Westminster of choosing the issue as a constitutional battleground, rather than backing a scheme that campaigners believe will help the environment.

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He said the matter falls within the powers of the Scottish parliament. "What the UK government has done is make it a constitutional fight by invoking the Internal Market Act – something they didn't have to do, but chose to do."

In his letter, the first minister wrote: "There are much wider consequences of the decision. This UK government intervention at such a late stage demonstrates a major erosion of the devolution settlement.

The Scotland Office said it would respond to the first minister's letter in due course. A spokesperson added: "Deposit return schemes need to be consistent across the UK and this is the best way to provide a simple and effective system. A system with the same rules for the whole UK will increase recycling collection rates and reduce litter – as well as minimise disruption to the drinks industry and ensure simplicity for consumers."

The headline of this article was amended on 4 June 2023. An earlier version said "official" instead of "first minister".