20p charge on every can and bottle ‘will cut waste scourge’
A REFUNDABLE charge of up to 20p would be added to every drinks container under a plan for a deposit return scheme to help clean up the country.
The Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS) wants it to apply to every plastic or glass bottle and can sold here.
APRS, which has been leading the Have You Got The Bottle campaign for a return scheme, is working with Zero Waste Scotland, which has been asked by ministers to publish detailed plans.
Last year, the Scottish Daily Mail launched a campaign to Banish The Bottles blighting Scotland’s towns and beaches and choking our seas. It was backed by Coca-Cola and led to the Scottish Government confirming a deposit return scheme would be introduced.
APRS director John Mayhew said: ‘We have looked closely at successful deposit return systems around the world, especially in Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. These proposals draw on that experience.
‘If we want Scotland to see all the benment efits of a deposit system, we need to see deposits on all drinks containers, including glass bottles and metal cans as well as plastic bottles – and the deposit needs to be at a high enough level to inspire real changes in behaviour.’
Under the APRS proposals, customers would pay an additional charge of between 10p and a maximum of 20p on top of the price of a can or bottle, which would be refunded if the empty containers are returned to collection points.
They specify a single charge for all containers, regardless of size. If a container ends up in a recycling bin, the local authority can collect the deposit.
The plans include paying a ‘small handling fee’ to retailers, hotels, restaurants and caterers ‘to compensate for the cost of helping to run the system’.
APRS says a single, not-for-profit operator should run the system, with the Scottish Government imposing targets – and penalties for failure to comply.
The proposals, being considered by Zero Waste Scotland, say the scheme should be ‘easily extended to other parts of the UK’. The UK Government has pledged to consider introducing deposit return but has not committed to do so.
Scottish ministers have said they would work with the UK Govern- but will not be ‘held back’ from introducing a scheme in Scotland.
Mr Mayhew said: ‘Litter, especially at sea, knows no boundaries. Ideally, all parts of the UK would get on board with deposits, but Scotland cannot wait. This is an opportunity to learn from others while designing a system that fits Scotland’s particular needs.’
Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: ‘We have been tasked by the Scottish Government with producing design options for Scotland’s deposit return scheme.
‘We are conducting an evidencegathering programme and welcome Have You Got The Bottle’s contribution.’ A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We look forward to receiving Zero Waste Scotland’s proposals and expect to consult on a range of options later this year.’
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