Drinks deposit plan to boost recylcing rate

Public given say in consultation

Stirling residents are being encouraged to have their say on a deposit return scheme for drinks bottles and cans.

The scheme would involve customers paying a deposit when they buy drinks and getting the money back when they return the empty bottle or container for recycling.

A public consultation on a deposit return scheme for Scotland was officially opened by the Scottish Government in June and runs until September 25.

People are being asked to share their thoughts on how a scheme could work best: the level of deposit, which products should have a deposit on them, where they should be able to take their empty containers to get the deposit back and whether they would like the option to donate the deposit instead.

Callum Blackburn from Stirlingbased Zero Waste Scotland said: “A Scottish deposit return scheme represents a huge opportunity to improve recycling, reduce litter and create economic opportunities for Scotland at the same time.”

Schemes in Norway, the Netherlands and Michigan are said to have achieved recycling rates of around 95 per cent.

Zero Waste Scotland estimates it could save councils £13 million a year on litter and waste costs.

When similar proposals were discussed by Stirling Council two years ago officers warned that they would reduce materials in kerbside collection, cutting the council’s income. They also said litterers were unlikely to change their behaviour.

This week comments on the Stirling Observer’s Facebook page suggested there are many people in support of introducing a scheme.

Ruth Teal said: “We are behind the times. Canada has done this for years and it’s very successful.”

Sharon Paterson added: “I lived in Germany for years and all supermarkets have machines you put your glass and plastic bottles in. You get a receipt which you take to the checkout to get your cash back. Fabulous idea.”

Kevin Muir called for Barrs to re-introduce its glass bottle return scheme, adding: “Sometimes it really does feel like we move backwards in this country to go forward.”

Overseas contributor Jack Calder said: “In Canada we’ve been recycling bottles and cans for at least 50 years and getting paid. I was very surprised when I lived in Scotland that there was no known option to recycle, that was in the late 90s.”

Martine Flynn said: “I have been banging this drum to Stirling Council for eight years. Wonder if it will happen.”

The public consultation is available at https://consult.gov. scot/environment-forestry/depositreturn-scheme.

I have been banging this drum to Stirling Council for eight years. Wonder if it will happen.