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Gentle drinks giants Coca-Cola and Purple Bull are amongst a rising checklist of companies trying to declare tens of millions of kilos in compensation after the collapse of Scotland’s controversial deposit return scheme, Sky Information understands.
The Scottish authorities’s recycling plans, which might have seen buyers pay an additional 20p on single-use bottles and cans, has been delayed until at least October 2025.
The drinks trade had invested tens of millions of kilos making ready to start operations in March 2024, regardless of many arguing it will have imposed doubtlessly deadly prices on their companies.
Some senior figures additionally raised considerations the scheme would have created a commerce barrier between Scotland and the remainder of the UK.
On Wednesday, Holyrood blamed the collapse of Scotland’s system on the UK authorities, after Downing Avenue dominated it might solely go forward with out glass bottles included in it.
With comparable schemes in the remainder of the UK not on account of come into impact till 2025, the Scottish authorities sought an exemption from the Inner Market Act – which regulates commerce within the completely different components of the UK following Brexit.
Sky Information understands the British Gentle Drinks Affiliation, which represents Coca-Cola, Irn-Bru makers AG Barr and Britvic, will probably be trying to declare compensation for the “tens of millions wasted” on making ready for a bespoke Scottish system which isn’t going forward.
Learn extra:
Scotland’s deposit return scheme ‘can’t go ahead as planned’
Government accused of ‘sabotage’ over Scottish bottle return scheme
Forbes: Deposit return scheme needs reworking to ‘avoid job losses’
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Innis and Gun, one of many UK’s greatest craft beer companies, has additionally instructed Sky Information it’s “fastidiously contemplating” whether or not to sue.
The Edinburgh-based producer says it’s “consulting” with the trade about whether or not to say compensation from Holyrood ministers amid “large frustration” on the wasted prices.
Founder Dougal Sharp mentioned: “I’m massively pissed off that we’ve got rather a lot spent quite a lot of time, cash and energy in a scheme that we’ve got been warning the federal government about for years was not proper.
“It has price us many, many hours of labor. It has price us some huge cash. We’ll seek the advice of with our colleagues and take into account fastidiously our subsequent steps. Each firm will probably be trying to defend its monetary place.”
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack beforehand rejected a suggestion from First Minister Humza Yousaf that the UK authorities ought to decide up the invoice if the scheme didn’t go forward as deliberate.
The Scottish authorities has been approached for remark.
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