Deposit Return Scheme Exemptions FAQs

Yes, retailers can apply for a DRS exemption to act as a return point. However, the scheme will only work well if it is implemented as an “all in” scheme. Exemption possibilities are therefore designed to be limited to only where essential.

We would also expect most retailers to want to be involved in the scheme as much as possible, as offering a good DRS return experience to consumers as it becomes part of the shopping cycle will become an important part of the retail experience in the same way as ease of payment or parking is.

DRS Exemptions

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There are two different routes for granting a Deposit Return Scheme exemption:

• Getting agreement from another return point operator to collect on your behalf (e.g. shop on same street). You will be required to demonstrate that the return point is within reasonable distance of your premises and access to your return point. As a practical example, if you are one of two stores in a village and your store opens for 10 hours a day every day, but the other store is on the other side of the village only opens for 4 hours a day for the summer season only, you would be unlikely to get an exemption. If however, your store is open 6 days a week for 12 hours a day, but you are located on a busy high street with a store next door which is open 24/7, you are more likely to be granted an exemption.
• Providing robust evidence to confirm there is no reasonable way for you to operate on your premises without risking being in breach of relevant legal obligations such as food safety, health and safety, fire safety, environmental protection and public safety.

DRS Exemptions

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See Zero Waste Scotland FAQ as outlets can apply now.

Frequently Asked Questions | Deposit Return Scheme (zerowastescotland.org.uk)

Application Page | Deposit Return Scheme (zerowastescotland.org.uk)

DRS Exemptions

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If you make an application and Scottish Ministers decide to grant an exemption, they must within 7 days of the date of that decision give you:

• the notice of that decision in writing
• the date that the exemption takes effect

In turn, they will also publish and maintain a list of retailers who have been granted an exemption.

You are also obliged in future to notify Scottish Ministers if any of the conditions which led you your exemption change, which may lead to a review of your exemption.

DRS Exemptions

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Once the exemption is live, you must clearly display information in your outlet conveying that you do not, because of an exemption, operate a return point and provide details of the nearest alternative return point(s).

DRS Exemptions

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