Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020 (as amended): island communities impact assessment
Island communities impact assessment (ICIA) for The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020, as amended by the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland (Amendment) Regulations 2025; and the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland (Designation of Scheme Administrator) Order 2025.
Recommendations, conclusions and consultation
86. The proposed designated SA candidate for DRS in Scotland, UK Deposit Management Organisation Limited, has committed to operating a DRS that properly serves the rural and island communities in Scotland, by:
- Working with local businesses to ensure communities have sufficient return point options for all residents.
- Coordinating operations with existing logistics services to minimise cost and environmental impact, including using local transport such as ferries to reach island communities.
- Running a targeted consumer awareness campaign to increase public awareness using local media and community events.
- Utilising data and technology to ensure containers are picked up at sufficiently frequent intervals and that return points are easy for consumers to locate.
- Using surveys and forums to gather and address feedback from rural and island communities.
87. The Scottish Government along with the UK Government and DAERA will monitor the implementation and delivery of DRS under the three-nation DRS Project Board. We will use this mechanism to monitor and review this ICIA and the impact on island communities.
88. At this stage, it is not anticipated that this policy will have a significantly different impact for island communities relative to mainland communities. It is also not anticipated to have significantly different impacts between island communities. However, it is noted that costs of products on islands can generally be 15 - 30% higher compared to mainland costs[38].
89. The findings and evidence gathered from this and other related ICIAs will be maintained and updated as necessary to support future related Circular Economy and Waste Route Map (CEWRM) action impact assessments.
90. We are aware that there may be other impacts, either positive or negative, which have not been identified. As such, the Scottish Government will maintain and review this ICIA to support any future policy changes to the scheme, and to evaluate the impact of the scheme on those living on island communities.