Hospitality sector – what you must do
It was announced on 7 June 2023 that the launch of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will be delayed until at least October 2025. The full statement is available to view on the Scottish Government website: www.gov.scot/news/deposit-return/
If you run a bar, hotel, cafe, or restaurant, and you sell drinks in the types of containers that are covered by the scheme, you do not have to charge the 20p deposit or operate a return point if the drinks are consumed only on the premises.
You will have other obligations under the scheme. This includes:
- only selling drinks from registered producers
- when you buy the drinks from the producer or the supplier, pay 20p deposit on each drink bought
- storing empty drink containers for collection in a safe way.
When empty drink containers (scheme packaging) are collected, free of charge, by the producer or scheme administrator acting on their behalf, you will get the 20p deposit back for each container.
Sales for consumption off the premises
If any drinks in scheme containers are sold for consumption off the premises, you are considered a retailer under the DRS Regulations and must follow the rules for retailers. This includes charging the 20p deposit on each drink sold and operating a return point.
See the page in the is guidance: Retailers - What you must do
Further Information
Circular Scotland: Hospitality sector info