Experimenting with disaster
INCLUDING glass in a Scottish deposit return scheme could be disastrous for convenience retailers, a new test has found.
Staff at KeyStore Clydebank Co-operative on Great Western Road in Glasgow recently collected 300 plastic bottles, 300 cans and 300 glass bottles to demonstrate the impact that over-the-counter DRS returns could have on c-stores.
The empty packaging was bagged and placed in the store’s storage area, replicating how the procedure could work if and when DRS goes live.
Craig Brown, retail director at KeyStore wholesaler JW Filshill commented: “This simple test has shown that our concerns about DRS, particularly the concerns about glass, are fully justified.
“A bag full of 30-40 glass bottles is very heavy, makes considerable noise when moved around the store and takes up significant space. Even with carefully handling there will be breakages.”
“This will definitely present a health and safety hazard to staff and customers.”
Dr John Lee, head of public affairs at the Scottish Grocers Federation said: “The Scottish Parliament must say no glass.
“Frankly, given the lack of space in a modern convenience store and the growing number of stores that offer food, having customers return glass bottles to stores is simply wrong.”
