Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020 (as amended): Fairer Scotland Duty assessment
Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment (FSDA) for The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020 (as amended by the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for Scotland Amendment Regulations 2025) and the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland (Designation of Scheme Administrator) Order 2025.
Rural communities
57. A 2021 Scottish Government report estimated that the minimum cost of living in ‘remote rural’ Scotland is between 15% and 30% higher than urban parts of the UK. [41] The research suggests that this is on account of significant additional costs, such as food, clothing, household goods and travel.
58. The costs for food and drinks were higher for both remote rural (2-4%) and islands (5-13%) across all households. The highest impacts were observed for families and single pensioners living either remote rural or on islands.[42]
59. Research carried out to inform the development of the DRS identified that those in rural areas in England were less likely to purchase their cans (78%), from a large or mini supermarket than those in urban areas (86%). Those in rural areas tended to rely on other shops or online shopping.[43] Those in rural areas who use online shopping considered they may find it more inconvenient to return containers, and some thought they may not bother and would therefore not be able to redeem their deposit.
60. It is likely, that some households in rural Scotland require a higher income to attain the same minimum living standard as those living elsewhere in the UK.[44] While living in rural areas in Scotland incurs additional costs, it is unclear how people living in these areas would be impacted by the introduction of a DRS at this time.