UK Government to consult on a deposit return scheme

UK Ministers are to unveil plans today to introduce a bottle deposit return scheme on plastic, aluminium and glass in an attempt to cut down on waste.

Similar schemes are run in several European countries, and Scotland announced it would introduce one last year, which is being designed by Zero Waste Scotland.

The measure is aimed at increasing recycling and tackling litter.

UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove is expected to announce a trial of the scheme later this year, alongside a public consultation.

Ahead of the launch he said: “We can be in no doubt that plastic is wreaking havoc on our marine environment – killing dolphins, choking turtles and degrading our most precious habitats.

“It is absolutely vital we act now to tackle this threat and curb the millions of plastic bottles a day that go unrecycled.

“We have already banned harmful microbeads and cut plastic bag use, and now we want to take action on plastic bottles to help clean up our oceans.”

The consultation will take into account views from producers, suppliers and consumers to ensure that any system introduced works across the country, DEFRA has said.

Scotland’s Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “I am proud that Scotland was the first part of the UK to commit to introduce a deposit return scheme and pleased to learn the UK Government will now follow our lead.

“We have ambitious plans and wish to work closely with the UK Government to ensure that communities north and south of the border reap the environmental benefits a deposit return scheme can deliver.

“I also want to pay tribute to the efforts of the many community groups which have campaigned tirelessly for such a scheme – their valuable work deserves to be acknowledged.”