Written question WQ88610

A phased rollout within the UK had long been part of the planning for the Deposit Return Scheme, with the scheme in Scotland until recently scheduled to be brought in first. This would have given the rest of the UK an important opportunity to learn from its implementation as we finalised our scheme. Additionally in Wales, we have been running pilots for a Digital Deposit Return Scheme to test how a digital system can potentially be phased in. Our second digital Deposit Return Scheme pilot is currently undertaken in Brecon in partnership with Powys County Council. In considering the phased implementation of the scheme, it is crucial that any approach will be effective – both in delivering improved performance against Wales’ high baseline recycling rates in the short term and in putting the sector on a pathway to decarbonise - in line with our commitment to a zero waste and net zero carbon Wales