Two supermarkets sign up to tackle the blight of bottles
A SCHEME to curb the blight of bottles and cans on Scotland’s streets and beaches has won the support of two major supermarket chains.
The Co-op and Iceland have backed calls for a deposit return scheme to be introduced both here and across the UK.
They are the first major supermarkets to support the proposal, which would see a small deposit added to the price of bottles and cans, which would be refunded if customers return empty containers.
Several other big names indicated they could support a well-designed system. Calls for such a scheme have been led by a Scottish Daily Mail campaign.
The Scottish Government has already committed to introducing the scheme, while UK ministers have pledged to investigate it.
Richard Walker, director for sustainability at Iceland Foods, said: ‘Every minute, a truckload of plastic waste enters our oceans. In Britain, we are failing to recycle up to 16million single-use plastic bottles every day.
‘This cannot carry on. It is causing untold damage to our oceans and wildlife. It is a ticking time bomb for humanity, since we all ultimately depend on a healthy ocean environment for our own survival.’
He added: ‘Deposit return schemes work. In Norway, theirs has led to 96 per cent of all bottles being returned, with similar results in other countries. Britain urgently needs to do the same.’
Co-op retail chief executive Jo Whitfield said: ‘We are committed to ensuring all our packaging will be recyclable.
‘The Co-op is in favour of creating a deposit return scheme which increases the overall recycling of packaging and significantly reduces litter and, importantly, helps tackle marine pollution. We look forward to working with others, including government, local authorities, manufacturers and retailers, to help design a scheme that delivers.’
Other supermarkets – including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Lidl and Aldi – indicated they would consider supporting such a scheme.
The responses came as part of a survey by environmental group Greenpeace.
Greenpeace campaigner Louise Edge said: ‘It is possible to prevent throwaway plastic polluting our rivers and oceans but to achieve this we really need companies to step up to the plate,
‘That’s why it’s brilliant to see Iceland and the Co-op coming out in favour of deposit return schemes. Now it’s time for other companies to follow suit.’
John Mayhew, director of the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland, said: ‘Two substantial supermarkets have got on board, recognising their environmental responsibilities. More will surely follow.’
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has said a deposit return scheme could be in place by 2019. Environmental quango Zero Waste Scotland has been asked to draw up plans for the scheme.