Beverage brands urge new First Minister to prioritize Scotland’s DRS

Coca-Cola and AG Barr were among some of the top beverage brands that had instigated the new First Minister to launch Scotland’s deposit return scheme (DRS). Discussions about Scotland’s DRS have been going on since 2019.

On March 27, it was declared that Humza Yousaf would replace Nicola Sturgeon as the First Minister of Scotland and instantly embark on a mission to perfectly accommodate the allegedly perilous deposit return scheme.

Scotland had previously estimated that the DRS would be applicable by August, but since its inception, the scheme has been under vigorous scrutiny by a third party. The UK government has vocally opposed this deposit return scheme, claiming it would be disastrous for the economy.

To voice their concerns, the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) members, including Pepsi Co, Coca-Cola, AG Barr and Britvic Soft Drink, have released a statement addressed to the new First Minister drawing out their inferences regarding the scheme.

The chief executive of AG Barr – the makers of Irn-Bru, Roger White, exemplified: “Scotland’s DRS delivers for the environment, society and industry, and to delay it now would be to the detriment of all those things.”

The VP and general manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB, Stephen Moorhouse, stated: “We remain committed to the current timescale, but the Scottish Government’s clear and full support for DRS is critical if the scheme is to launch successfully in August.”

The managing director of fruit juice firm Frobishers, David Pearce, confined to sources: “The Scottish Government and its new leader need to stay the course and deliver the scheme on time, as promised, this summer.”

The managing director of Welsh spring water firm Radnor Hills, William Watkins, remarked: “The new first minister must ensure DRS starts in August to boost recycling and reduce littering. We’ve come this far. We can’t afford further delays.”

The managing director for Britvic Soft Drinks in Britain, Paul Graham, analysed: “DRS is a proven step towards a circular economy, and we look forward to Scotland leading the way across the UK in rolling out the scheme this August.”