DISPOSABLES & RECYCLING


Consultation closes on DRS and EPR, now what’s next?


The consultation phase for the proposed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging legislation has now come to an end and the analysis phase has begun.


included as part of a DRS scheme, as there is a compulsory cup return scheme outlined in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) consultation which would be more effective. David Llewellyn, chief executive of the AVA,


said: “The aim of this new legislation is to improve material re-use, encourage recycling and help reduce littering which, of course, the AVA supports wholeheartedly. Prior to the deadline, the association pressed


T


he Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) has contracted the Office of Public Management, trading as


Traverse, to support the analysis of responses to the DRS consultation. A summary of responses will be compiled


with an outline of the proposed legislation with implementation likely in 2024. The packaging consultations on the DRS, along


with the EPR, both aim to improve material re-use, encourage recycling and help reduce littering. The DRS proposals, due for implementation in


England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2024, suggest that where vending is the only source of ‘in scope drinks containers’, then a deposit return mechanism will not be mandatory. The DRS consultation also outlines that


‘disposable single use cups’ will not need to be 22 | vendinginternational-online.com


its members to get involved to help ensure what is to be introduced is both measured and practical with minimal financial impact on vending companies. As part of its response to the DRS


consultation, the AVA expressed its support for “the introduction of a structured, co-ordinated DRS for selected drinks containers”. But it also called for the scheme, whatever its


structure, to be implemented in the same format across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland and to the same timescale. In its response, the AVA highlighted the strain


the vending industry has been under as a result of the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that although supportive of the DRS, it was concerned about the significant impact on cashflow of vending operators. It said: “Vending operators have suffered


significant economic impact with business reductions averaging 41% and almost 20% reduction in staffing. Recovery is not expected


within the next two years.” The EPR is intended to give producers


significant responsibility for the treatment and disposal of post-consumer products, with the consultation seeking views from across industry including members of the public on how it should function to ensure the desired results. On the question disposable cups, the AVA


responded stating that it did not agree with a mandatory, producer-led takeback obligation on the sellers of filled disposable paper cups. It reasoned: “The provision of filled paper


cups through vending machines are in un- manned and unattended serving situations. The vending and office coffee service industry places 75% of its total machines within buildings of private and public companies, hospitals, schools, public administration and universities. “These are close loop environment services with


business waste provision. In vending products are typically consumed within the same premises as the vending machine, and often directly beside it. In contrast to other retail channels, a single-use beverage cup used in vending is therefore very unlikely to end up outside a building and littered. The cups are easily collected, in segregated waste streams and directed into client sites’ existing waste and recycling service.” Responses to this consultation will help inform


final policy decisions on key aspects of the scheme, such as governance, recycling targets and implementation timelines.


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