Stavros Dimas, EU Environment Minister, has declared that the era of cheap water is over. According to Dimas, Europe has been squandering too much of its water and the user must now begin to pay.
At the International Expo on Water and Sustainable Development, the minister outlined the progress on the new EU Water Framework Directive to be published later this year. “EU countries must charge people for water as they do for other resources including petrol and energy to avoid future problems,” Dimas said. “We must urgently adapt the way we use water to prevent water shortages and their environment, health but also economic consequences in the future. Europe has enormous potential to save water if we all adopt water-saving practices.”
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.