Drinks firms may back plan for bottle deposit scheme

INDUSTRY opposition to a deposit and return scheme for plastic bottles seemed to be crumbling yesterday.

Trade body, the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA), had previously lobbied to block any scheme, but now says it is open to the idea. The U-turn may have been driven by a shift in public mood – with 78 per cent now supporting a plan.

The Daily Mail’s Take Back Your Bottles campaign has called for a deposit and return scheme (DRS). The BSDA was among five industry bodies that previously stated ‘unanimous’ opposition to DRS in meetings with ministers.

But yesterday, it said these groups were no longer ‘unanimous’ in opposition. Director general, Gavin Partington, said: ‘We are open to exploring whether a properly considered deposit return scheme could be part of a solution and we are ready to work with Government.’