Member

I am sorry to ask so many questions, but I admit I am disappointed that we do not seem to be any further forward with a deposit return scheme, especially as the fees to be applied to the producers under this SI are based on the weight of the waste. This severely penalises glass producers, whose product is eminently recyclable. Glass faces policy fees per unit that are over 40 times higher than those for plastic. Five thousand glass bottles can be manufactured compared with 67,000 plastic or aluminium containers of the same size. Manufacturers of aluminium beverage containers will not pay any fees at all until a DRS starts in October 2027, giving them an advantage. Can the Minister say why there is nothing in the impact assessment on the impact of material switching away from glass, which, as I said, is one of the most recyclable containers?