Level up DRS ambition to reflect public’s appetite for change

The Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (December 7) welcomed a trial of a new deposit return scheme (DRS) in Conwy, as she urges the Welsh Labour-led Government to “level up” its ambition to meet recycling targets.

Residents of Colwyn Heights will soon take part in a pilot for a new digital method of tracking recycling, helping Wales on its route to a zero-waste, circular economy. The four-week trial will involve a number of homes in the area and is due to start in the spring. Householders will be provided with a set of bottles tagged by Polytag, which they will scan when placing in their recycling containers, using an app.

The bottles will also be scanned upon collection by Conwy County Borough Council’s household waste recycling team. For each bottle scanned at either end of the DRS process, householders will receive a digital token – with each token worth 20p. The tokens will then be donated to raise funds for Ysgol Pen y Bryn, the local primary school.

Commenting, Mrs Finch-Saunders said:

“Less than two weeks ago, I opened a debate in the Welsh Parliament that called for the swift introduction of a deposit return scheme in Wales. The Welsh Conservatives have been calling for the implementation of such a system since 2016, taking inspiration from schemes around the world.

“I am incredibly proud that the County of Conwy has been chosen for this innovative DRS trial, with their selection a testament to the hard work of the local authority and its waste and environment officials. This trial makes clear that the technology exists to make a rapid roll out of a DRS not only possible, but convenient, for users and local authorities.

“This trial is an important first step. However, I am astounded that the process has taken so long to get to this point. In acknowledging that approximately 40 percent of our nation’s litter tends to be drink containers, it is paramount that the Welsh Government level’s up its response to confront the scourge of plastic waste. 

“It is vital that any replica or subsequent trials are rolled out at pace across Wales, as we push for action to implement a circular economy. The public’s appetite for change must be replicated in the Welsh Government’s ambition. To idle along at the current pace is not a feasible option.”