First minister Humza Yousaf has announced that Scotland’s deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers has been delayed to 1st March 2024. It was originally due to start on 16^th August, but following concerns over the launch date he took the decision to delay giving, as he explained to Scottish Parliament, 7 extra months for the smaller firms to prepare.

He told MSPs: “I’m committed to the scheme to increase recycling and help achieve our net zero goals but recognise the uncertainty created by the UK Government delaying a decision on the Internal Market Act”.

Scotland has been preparing a DRS for several years and had originally intended to launch by 2021. The scheme would charge a 20p deposit on all drink’s containers. This would be refunded when the empty container was deposited for recycling or reuse through an official channel, such as in-store or to a dedicated reverse vending machine.

Scotland’s scheme is classed as ‘all-in’ scheme rather than ‘on-the-go’ which means a much wider range of packaging falls into scope. Whereas in the UK is pushing for a scheme which in less encompassing and even excludes glass.

Award-winning social enterprise, Community Shop, has today revealed its latest impact report figures, which show the social supermarket is supporting more families than ever before.

The annual impact report was launched at the opening of its 11^th Community Shop, which opened in Bewsey, Warrington.

Thanks to the generous support of retailers, brands and manufacturers across the industry, who have significantly increased their stock donations by 46%, Community Shop supported over 28,000 households in 2022, generating the equivalent of 6.7m meals for its members.

Community Shop offers a powerful combination of access to deeply discounted food and household products, and life-changing learning and development programmes. The stores are open to people who live locally and receive welfare support, and who are motivated to make a positive difference to their lives.

Integral to every Community Shop is its Community Kitchen, where members come together and enjoy high-quality meals at low-costs prices, as well as taking part in a range of activities like cook clubs, which provide education and inspiration to help families put food at the heart of their home. With over 20,000 people attending cook clubs in 2022, 92% of members said that Community Shop had improved their quality of life while 82% report feeling healthier in themselves since joining.

The stores also provide personal development support, with 26,600 people engaging in programmes over the past year and 92% of members reporting that their quality of life had improved. In total, 1,968 members have moved into work or higher education since joining Community Shop.

During the cost-of-living crisis, the support Community Shop offers its members is more vital than ever and the social enterprise is committed to continuing to expand its network. Today’s store opening in Bewsey takes the total to 11 Community Shops, with another new store set to open this summer.

None of what Community Shop has achieved would have been possible without the industry’s backing, and the organisation is calling on more businesses to recognise the value that surplus stock can create for people and communities.

Gary Stott, Executive Chair for Community Shop, said: “The figures in this year’s impact report demonstrate the enormous positive impact that can be created by unlocking the value from surplus stock.

“Through our Community Shops we build stronger individuals and more confident communities, and, thanks to the support of our partners, we are able to help some of the most deprived communities in the UK.

“I would like to thank all of our partners who share our ambition, to help those who need it most, when it matters most, and the opening our latest store today demonstrates their continued commitment to creating even more positive impact, in even more communities.”

Owen McLellan, Managing Director at Company Shop Group commented: “Redistributing surplus stock makes such a difference to families who rely on it being available to help their stretched budgets go further. We are continuing to see the demand for Community Shop grow and I’d encourage everyone to think differently about waste and look at how we can unlock even more surplus to create even greater value for people and communities.”