A BREWERY director intends to launch his own bottle return scheme on Arran.

Gerald Michaluk, managing director of the Arran Brewery, has condemned the Scottish Government’s Deposit Return Scheme as a “nail in the coffin of rural retail business”.

Mr Michaluk said: “When the reality of the scheme is known the public may be less willing to participate, although this will be academic, as they will not be given a choice as the scheme will be compulsory and we will all have to pay the deposit like it or not.”

The plans will see a 20p deposit charged on the sale of cans, plastic bottles and glass with consumers able to get the deposit back by returning the containers in a bid to increase recycling and tackle climate change.

Legislation was laid in the Scottish Parliament in September 2019. Once these regulations are passed by the Scottish Parliament, which is expected to happen early next year, there will then be an implementation period of at least 12 months before the scheme starts.

Gerald Michaluk who owns Arran Brewery has praised the overall objectives of the scheme but believes it will impact on small businesses the most.

He said that, in the new year, the business will introduce heavy weight recyclable bottles for exclusive use on the island so pubs, hotels, cafes and restaurants can truly recycle them.

The same vehicle that delivers the beer will collect the empties and return them to the brewery for cleaning and refilling.

There will also be growler filling machines so people can use their own bottles or jugs.