Mounting glass collections across the Highlands are linked to the Greens botched Deposit Return Scheme with contractor Biffa now suing the Scottish Government for £200 million
Issues surrounding mounting glass at bottle banks across the Highlands have been linked to the failed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) launched by the Greens when they were still in the Scottish Government.
Numerous areas across the Highlands have seen overflowing bottle banks in recent weeks with the problem being traced first to out of date vehicles and now is being linked by one councillor to the DRS.
Biffa was chosen by Circularity Scotland Ltd as the logistics partner for the delivery of the DRS leading the company to direct “significant sums to support its timely and successful implementation.”
But amid a stuttering performance by Greens minister Lorna Slater, the scheme fell through under enormous pressure from the drinks trade as many major companies said they would have to stop selling in Scotland.
Now the company is going to the Court of Session to recover £200 million from Scottish ministers over losses from investing in the DRS, arguing that the Scottish Government misrepresented the scheme when it told Biffa it would go ahead.
According to reports in the Scottish Legal News, Biffa is said to have relied on assurances from Ms Slater when it began to invest £55 million in vehicles and equipment, before she scrapped the scheme in June last year.
Councillor Duncan Macpherson believes the company had “begun restructuring their business model” as a result of the DRS but “these plans were thrown into disarray when the Scottish Government suddenly decided to pause” the scheme.
He continued: “As a consequence, Biffa the recycling firm was faced with having to order new specially built HGV vehicles to transport all the waste glass from bottle banks again.
“The lead time to design and build such a vehicle usually takes between nine to 12 months, so the firm is having a challenging time with ageing and now unreliable vehicles being used well beyond their intended use, while waiting patiently for their new vehicles to be built.”
He quoted a Biffa spokesman as saying: “Biffa was selected by Circularity Scotland Limited as the logistics partner for the delivery of the Scottish deposit return scheme, and invested significant sums to support its timely and successful implementation.
“This was done in good faith and on the expectation and understanding that the delivery of the scheme had been mandated by the Scottish Government.”
“Having carefully reviewed our position with our advisers, we can confirm that we are taking legal action to seek appropriate compensation for the losses Biffa has incurred.”
The council confirmed that Biffa had been “experiencing difficulties” but they were due to be resolved “imminently” as it looks to catch-up on collections in the worst affected areas..
A spokesperson said: "The council’s glass contractor Biffa is experiencing vehicle difficulties which has impacted on servicing the glass recycling banks across the region.
“Biffa is working hard to catch up on the servicing of glass banks – the council is aware of the areas which are most impacted and these are being prioritised. Biffa have confirmed that the two new vehicles are being built and that they will be taking delivery of the ordered replacement vehicles imminently."
