Argyll and Bute Council is urging the Scottish Government to address residents’ concerns regarding the Deposit Return Scheme.

The scheme – known as the DRS - will require people who purchase a glass, plastic bottle, or drink can to pay a 20p deposit which will be redeemable at point of purchase when they return their empty bottle or can.

However, businesses in the council area – including those in Helensburgh and Lomond - have expressed concerns that the scheme will make them rack up more costs when many are already struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Rural businesses have also posed questions on how returned bottles and cans would be stored and returned to bulking stations.

Councillor Ross Moreland, policy lead for climate change and environment services, said: “We are supportive of any measures which help to reduce carbon emissions as we work together to become net zero by 2045.

“The Deposit Return Scheme has an important part to play in potentially reducing litter, increasing recycling rates and cutting waste.

“However, it’s clear that the scheme has considerable implications across Argyll and Bute for retail businesses, households, and pupils in receipt of free school meals and those who currently pay for meals.

“We believe that the Scottish Government must provide greater clarity on how it will operate and take steps to address the concerns which many of our businesses have about the practicalities of the scheme.

“We call on the Government to give careful consideration to the impact it will have on the wider community across Argyll and Bute.”

There are concerns also surrounding how the scheme will work for secondary schools where bottled and canned drinks are available to pupils paying with money and those using a meal allowance.

The scheme was due to come into effect on August 16, but has been delayed by the Scottish Government until March 2024.

The Scottish Governemnt responded to Councillor Moreland's comments, saying that the scheme will be beneficial for the environment and that the delay will give businesses time to adjust.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scotland’s deposit return scheme will reduce litter on our streets, increase the recycling of drinks containers and help meet our net zero ambitions and local authorities will play an important part in the scheme when it launches.

“We recently announced a package of measures to further support businesses, particularly small drinks producers, to participate in the scheme.

"We have also delayed the start date till 1 March 2024, giving industry more time to prepare.

“The Scottish Government and Circularity Scotland will continue to work closely with local authorities to help them get ready for the scheme going live, including how it will operate in schools and interact with free school meals.”