Several grocery retailers and drinks manufacturers have co-signed a letter to the Welsh Government, urging it to keep the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) on track.
Addressed to the new first minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, the group said it was looking forward to working closely with him on the DRS.
“We recognise that your government has inherited significant delays to the process of appointing a scheme administrator for the Welsh DRS from the previous administration,” the letter opened.
However, with the scheme’s legislated launch date now less than 15 months away, the group stressed the importance of ap Iorwerth accelerating progress.
According to the letter, the best way to minimise further issues is for the Welsh Government to work with Exchange for Change, the official operator of the DRS for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
“Unless this happens by the end of July, the commercial and operational realities that our businesses have to respond to will create negative economic outcomes for Welsh consumers, reducing choice and increasing the cost of products on shelves.”
The group also repeated previous calls for ap Iorwerth to reconsider the Welsh Government’s decision to include glass in the DRS, a policy that currently sets Wales apart from the other UK nations.
Signatories to the letter include Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, PepsiCo, Carlsberg Britvic, Asahi, Highland Spring Group, Suntory, Danone, Heineken, Molson Coors, Shepley Spring, C&C Group, AG Barr and Nestlé. Major retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Co-op also signed the letter.
A spokesperson for Co-op said: “We want to see accelerated progress towards a more circular economy, to protect the range and cost of drinks available to consumers, and to continue to serve communities through our stores right across Wales – all of which can only be achieved if the Welsh Government moves with pace and pragmatism to appoint Exchange for Change without any further delay.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, added: “Businesses want to focus on building a scheme that genuinely serves Welsh consumers and the environment. Therefore, we respectfully encourage the Welsh Government to move forward appointing a scheme administrator before recess.”
