Deposit plan to increase recycling

Refunds for cans and bottles

Alex Neil urged residents to give their views on the proposed deposit return scheme to encourage recycling of bottles and cans.

The Airdrie & Shotts MSP wants locals to get involved with the Scottish Government public consultation on the proposal.

It would see consumers pay a deposit when they buy a product, which would be refunded when the container is recycled.

Mr Neil said: “The bottle deposit return scheme is one small step we can take in the fight against plastic pollution.

“A deposit return scheme has huge potential to help us meet our recycling goals, as well as tackling the scourge of plastic litter and waste on our landscape.

“The issue of plastic pollution, particularly in our water, has become well known in recent months as the impact of the problem was brought to light by ‘Blue Planet’ last year.

“It affects us right here in this area.

“The deposit return scheme can make a real difference and the Zero Waste Scotland events across the country give us all a chance to give our views on the scheme, how it could work and how it can be implemented.”

Zero Waste Scotland is hosting events across Scotland to canvass views, with one taking place at the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow on August 22.

The organisation’s research shows that more than 64,000 tonnes of plastic food packaging and bottles are sent to landfill in Scotland each year at a cost of £11 million, while other countries’ deposit return schemes can reach a recycling rate of more than 90 per cent.

Environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “A deposit return scheme will provide a new secure source of high-quality material which will create opportunities to develop our recycling infrastructure in Scotland and create jobs.

“This will also improve the availability of recycled material for use in the production of bottles and cans in future.

“I’d encourage everyone with an interest to provide their views and help us tackle our throwaway culture.”