Deposit Return Scheme exemption requests: EIR release
Information request and response under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004
Information requested
The number of requests for exemption to operate a retail return point under the Deposit Return Scheme for each month since the exemption application process opened, the number of applications per month (i) where a proximity exemption was granted, and (ii) where an environmental health exemption was granted and the number of applications to register for voluntary return point that were, per month, (i) received and (ii) accepted.
Response
As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your request under those Regulations. We are applying the exemption at section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), so that we do not also have to deal with your request under FOISA.
This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption, because there is no public interest in dealing with the same request under two different regimes. This is essentially a technical point and has no material effect on the outcome of your request.
Response to your request
I attach a copy of the information you requested. The figures provided are correct at the time of your request.
It may also be helpful to explain that Zero Waste Scotland administers the exemption procedure for the Deposit Return Scheme and publishes a list of applications approved at Deposit-Return-Scheme- List-of-Exempted-Retailers-2.pdf (zerowastescotland.org.uk). Eligible exemption applications are passed to Scottish Ministers and applicants should receive a decision within 35 days. We do not hold information on voluntary return points as to date no final applications have been received.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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