The rollout of a bottle deposit return scheme in Scotland is facing the prospect of another year-long delay, amid continuing concerns over the practicalities of preparing store infrastructure amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Ministers north of the border have launched an independent review into the timeframe for the rollout, with retailers warning it will be impossible to safely pilot test DRS reverse vending machines in stores amid continuing Covid restrictions.

It is the latest blow to supporters of DRS in the rollercoaster history of the proposals.

A similar review, the outcome of which was announced in March last year, led the Scottish government to delay the proposed implementation of DRS, from an original start date of next month to July 2022. This was despite sources telling the government they believed it was highly likely DRS would now face a further delay.