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By Steve Farrell 2022-04-01T10:13:00+01:00

A reverse vending machine in Sainsbury’s

Plans to exclude glass from England and Northern Ireland’s deposit return schemes while it is included in Wales’ and Scotland’s have been labelled a “nightmare” and “madness” for suppliers.

The latest plans, which came from Defra this week in its response to a consultation on Extended Producer Responsibility packaging fees, were branded “total madness” by one drinks supplier.

Defra said glass would be excluded in England and Northern Ireland after responses to the consultation raised concerns over glass getting crushed and mixed in reverse vending machines, resulting in poorer-quality material than is collected for ­recycling at kerbside.

However, it said Welsh government had considered responses requesting the inclusion of as wide a range of materials as possible, and would progress with an “all-in DRS” including glass, plastic and aluminium.

Scotland’s forthcoming DRS is also set to be ‘all-in’ including glass.

“Having different packaging types included in different parts of the UK will be a nightmare for wholesalers and producers who will have to make, store and distribute two versions of many products,” said ACS CEO James Lowman.

A source at a drinks supplier said Defra’s plans “make a mockery of the Scottish scheme”.

“We could end up with three different schemes across the UK – total madness.”

Square Root Soda commercial director Nick McKay said excluding glass “shows a lack of ambition. Including glass would be clearer for brands, retailers and consumers and would drive the biggest change.”

The consultation response included a wider watering down of EPR plans, which The Grocer revealed last week was on the way. 

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