MSP is keen to bin litter problem
Firms discuss deposit scheme for plastic bottles
A campaign to reduce litter is being discussed between Perthshire businesses and a local MSP.
Firms and organisations from the area met Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance Murdo Fraser MSP in Birnam last month to discuss the possibility of a deposit return system for drinks containers.
Some 33 million plastic bottles are bought in the UK every day and a number of Big County companies want to see a deposit return system introduced to reduce litter.
The meeting had Perthshire firms Birnam Arts Centre, Burmiston Farm, Crieff Hydro, Giraffe Trading and Mountaineering Scotland presenting the benefits of a deposit system, originally proposed by the Have You Got the Bottle? campaign.
Businesses across Scotland are also backing the scheme, from independent newsagents to brewers, restaurants and offlicences.
More than three-quarters of Scots have backed the idea. In addition to tackling litter, the campaign outlines that deposit return can boost recycling, cut costs for local government, promote the circular economy, and provide a new revenue stream for retailers and the catering trade.
Last month the Scottish Government announced plans for a Scotland-specific deposit return system for drinks containers.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Mr Fraser was keen to find a way of reducing litter
He said: “It was a welcome opportunity to meet local businesses who support deposit return and listen to their views
Discussing incentives to reduce waste were, from left, Alexandra Macdonald (Crieff Hydro), Paula Pyke (Giraffe Trading), Chris Hunter (Crieff Hydro), Murdo Fraser MSP, Neil Reid (Mountaineering Scotland), James Mackenzie (Have You Got the Bottle?) at Birnam Arts Centre. Pic: James Mackenzie
on how this idea could work in Perthshire and across Scotland.
“Whether businesses and organisations support or have concerns about a deposit return, it’s important to discuss how we can best support the circular economy and keep down local councils’ costs.”
The Conservative MSP
highlighted the importance of keeping Perthshire litter-free and added: “Perthshire is one of Scotland’s most picturesque and beautiful parts of the country and we need to consider all options that will help reduce litter in our towns and countryside as well as protecting the environment.”
James Mackenzie, from Have You
Got The Bottle? campaign, said:“It was great to meet Murdo Fraser and we appreciate he took the time to learn more about deposit return.
“It’s important that any deposit return system be designed to work well for the public, local authorities, and small Scottish businesses.”
For more information go to www.haveyougotthebottle.org.uk.