Deposit return scheme for Scotland: islands communities impact assessment

Annex 1: Recommendations From Island Workshop Events

Arran

• Make use of local communications campaigns from local environmental groups;
• Encourage communal voluntary return points in areas with fewer shops;
• The scheme administrator should consult local communities during the implementation phase to harness local knowledge;
• Well-secured contingency storage areas should be set up on the islands in case of travel disruption;
• Minimise the higher carbon impact of collections from the islands by using electric vehicles or backhaul;
• Systems must be flexible to allow for the variance in volume of collected containers across the year;
• Local communications campaigns will be needed to raise awareness of the scheme amongst tourists and visitors.

Bute

• Seek feedback from Fyne Futures regarding returns on Bute;
• Involve Fyne Futures in collection and material transportation services;
• Mandate that the scheme administrator must procure local partners;
• Backhauling should be considered from companies like Co-op who bring products onto the island. An agreement could be made for larger retailers to transport containers for the scheme administrator;
• A centralised secure storage area for collected containers would reduce insurance and health & safety risks for small retailers;
• An incentive scheme to help small retailers acquire RVMs would help independent retailers with logistics and upfront costs;
• Working capital grants to help producers and retailers;
• Quicker payment terms are needed: around 10 working days (as seen in international schemes) will be too long for some small retailers.

Islay

• New storage requirements will be necessary in local shops. The retailer handling fee should be negotiated to reflect this;
• An incentive to return existing littered containers which do not carry a deposit would encourage litter-picking in the early stages of the scheme;
• Communal return points or a partnered approach would work better on islands where there is limited space available.

Lewis

• Existing social enterprise networks such as clothes banks collections may be useful to the scheme administrator when arranging collections;
• Continual messaging will be needed to communicate DRS and its benefits;
• Assessment should be done on an ongoing basis throughout the scheme to ensure it is being rolled out properly on the islands;
• A maximum time or distance between return points and a counting centre to ensure timely payment of deposits and fees to retailers;
• Islands funding should be provided to support the unique challenges;
• An island rate should be offered on the handling fee, or assistance for small retailers to purchase RVMs.

Orkney

• Individual islands mostly have independent hauliers. They need to be considered, and haulier charges will need to be covered by any scheme administrator.

Shetland

• Financial help to cover upfront costs will be needed in the early stages of scheme;
• Communal RVMs should be encouraged in public areas to take the pressure off small retailers;
• Collection schedules will need to be rationalised to reduce emissions and unnecessary traffic;
• Contingency plans will need to be in place in preparation for transport disruption;

RVM data needs to be stored, not just live, as internet connection could be variable on remote islands (decision for retailer when acquiring RVM).

Skye

• More frequent collections will be needed in peak season;
• Backhauling should be used to reduce the number of lorries on the road;
• Offer a higher handling fee for the islands (compared to 5p fuel allowance).