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The Scottish Government released information regarding Circularity Scotland’s application to Scottish Ministers to become a scheme administrator for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme, in response to an information request under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004. The information released in response to that request was published on the Scottish Government website on 22 January 2022 under reference FOI/202200276068.

We will publish an update on each of the accepted Deer Working Group recommendations, alongside minutes from the December meeting of the Deer Management Strategic Board shortly. This will be available, alongside minutes of previous meetings, on the Board’s webpages here: Deer Management Strategic Board - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

NatureScot has a range of legislative powers available to them under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. A summary of how NatureScot has used those powers since 2017 has been provided in the following table:

Drinks importers that buy products from supplier outside of Scotland have the same requirement as drinks producers to register with the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme to meet their legal obligations. Circularity Scotland as the scheme administrator is rightfully leading on engagement with businesses, including drinks importers, to help them register with the scheme.

Deposit Return Schemes operate in 44 territories and many companies have developed Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) for use with these schemes.

The Scottish Government and other organisations engaged with other countries operating deposit return schemes through the design, business case development and consultation process for Scotland’s DRS including schemes in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Germany as well as organisations with broad expertise in international Deposit Return Schemes, such as Reloop. As part of this work, it was clear that many companies would be able to provide RVMs that would work with our scheme.

The launch date for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme is set in the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020. This can only be changed by amending Regulations approved by the Scottish Parliament.

In line with the ‘polluter pays’ principle, and just like similar schemes around the world, Scotland’s deposit return scheme is being delivered and funded by industry, led by the scheme administrator, Circularity Scotland. It is therefore the responsibility of individual businesses to procure any Reverse Vending Machines they may require.

The Scottish Government does not have access to this information at this time. As set out in the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will produce and maintain a list of registered producers prior to the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme.

Crown Estate Scotland anticipate announcing the offer of Exclusivity Agreements to successful applicants for Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas decarbonisation (INTOG) offshore wind projects in Spring 2023.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. All return point operators – including public bodies – should register with the scheme administrator, Circularity Scotland Ltd , in order for their logistics partner, Biffa, to organise an appropriate collection schedule. Return point operator registration opened on 1 March.