The Scottish Parliament has passed regulations which a trade body has claimed will be damaging to its industry.
MSPs gave the go ahead to the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) regulations despite calls from industry, consumers and opposition MSPs to delay.
On Wednesday afternoon the DRS regulations were passed with 36 SNP members voting for, 16 Conservatives voting against and 19 Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs abstaining.
British Glass CEO Dave Dalton said: “We were not alone in asking the Scottish Government to delay the DRS regulations until the impact of COVID-19 is known.
“Many businesses, including those part of our industry and supply chain are not in the position to face the additional burden the scheme will place on them.
“We continue to believe an alternative Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model would increase the recycling rates of glass, be more cost-effective and offer double the
CO2 savings than a DRS in Scotland.
“Although we do not believe a DRS is the right solution for glass recycling, we will work with the Scottish Government and the scheme administrator to minimise the damage to the Scottish glass industry and to ensure the highest possible recycling rates to provide the vital quality and quantity of cullet needed for our glass manufacturers.”
