Bottle deposit scheme could earn retailers £9m a year

RETAILERS will benefit from a £9million-a-year windfall if a scheme to curb the amount of discarded bottles and cans goes ahead in Scotland.

MSPs will be told the benefits to businesses of a deposit return scheme far outweigh the costs.

The impact on small businesses is set to be a crucial factor in whether the Scottish Government decides to press ahead with the scheme.

And a report stresses businesses which volunteer to take part in collecting empty containers and returning deposits will receive a ‘handling fee’ estimated to be worth more than the cost of collection and storage.

Earlier this year, the Scottish Daily Mail launched a campaign calling for the introduction of a refundable charge of up to 10p on bottles and cans.

It is designed to help improve recycling rates and tackle the problem of the 130,000 drinks containers dumped in Scotland every day.

Last month, the Scottish Government announced it has instructed Zero Waste Scotland to draw up detailed proposals for a deposit return scheme.

Now the Have You Got The Bottle? campaign group, which supports a deposit return scheme, is writing to MSPs to outline its potential benefits.

In an effort to allay fears about the impact on small firms, the briefing document refers to research carried out by consultancy firm Eunomia.

They found that while the cost to retailers of setting up a scheme was estimated at between £28.5million and £29million per year, the handling fees paid to firms who take part could be as high as £37.2million.

Deposits would therefore generate a net income for the retail sector of up to £8.7million.

Under the scheme proposed, businesses would be allowed to choose whether or not to take part in deposit returns.

Those who do would also benefit from increased footfall as a result of customers bringing back empty containers.

Jenni Hume, campaign manager for the Have You Got The Bottle? campaign, said: ‘Businesses in places that use deposits already find the system works well for them, and we are sure retailers will have the same experience here.’

Edinburgh grocery chain Margiotta has added its name to a growing list of businesses supporting the scheme.

A spokesman said: ‘Deposits would save our sector millions every year which is why we would urge all retailers in Scotland to get on board and make the case for a system that works well for us.’