The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has criticised the Welsh government’s ‘confusing’ proposal to create a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) that includes glass beverage containers. 

The trade association said that a separate scheme from the rest of the UK, which does not include glass, would cause significant market distortions and undermine Wales’s existing kerbside recycling system. 

The WSTA will be using Wales’s consultation period, which launched on 18 August and lasts until 10 November, to encourage the government to switch to a DRS system that excludes glass, allowing full interoperability with other UK schemes. 

If the Welsh government goes ahead with the current scheme, the WSTA warned that market distortions across the UK could follow. 

At present, consumers have access to a free flow of goods across the England–Wales border. However, it is said the Welsh DRS could undermine this because of the need for unique tracking, labelling and separation, leading to higher costs for the Welsh consumer. 

During the consultation period, the WSTA is specifically calling on the Welsh government to align DRS proposals with the rest of the UK; pursue an evidence-based approach; work with the wine and spirit trade to explore reuse and develop realistic timeframes; and back glass recycling and manufacturing. 

Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA, said: “The Welsh government’s proposal for a separate and different Deposit Return Scheme in Wales, one that includes glass, is concerning. It risks undermining an existing recycling system that is ‘best in class’ and creating new and significant market distortions.  

“We believe this new approach, which lacks clarity as to how it is funded, would not only fail to improve on current high collection rates, but will also add unnecessary costs for Welsh businesses and consumers.  

“By deviating from the rest of the UK, the Welsh government risks introducing regulatory chaos and greater costs for Welsh consumers.” 

Nick Kirk, director at British Glass, added: “Wales already has one of the best kerbside glass collection systems in the world – so why disrupt it with an expensive and unnecessary DRS that will deliver little extra benefit? With zero deposit on glass, the public will stick to the convenience of kerbside collections, while producers face high fees and added complexity.”