Deposit Return Scheme seminar comes to Arran
Zero Waste Scotland will be visiting Brodick next week to talk to businesses and community members about a new recycling scheme that is coming to Arran.
The event, on Friday October 25, will give people a chance to learn more about Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme. Under the scheme, people will pay a 20p deposit when buying drinks purchased in single-use plastic or glass bottles and aluminium or steel cans. People will get their money back when they return their empty container for recycling.
The scheme is expected to increase recycling of singleuse bottles and cans and cut CO2 emissions, playing an important role in tackling the climate emergency. It will also give people an extra incentive not to litter.
Zero Waste Scotland, which helped the Scottish Government design the scheme, is especially interested to hear from islands-based drinks producers, retailers, hospitality businesses, and other key stakeholders, such as tourism businesses.
The draft regulations laid before the Scottish Parliament in September include a target of capturing 90 per cent of all scheme containers. Achieving that requires making the scheme accessible and practical for everyone in Scotland.
In addition to this and six other island engagement events, the Scottish Government will complete an Islands Impact Assessment to ensure any significant unique impacts on island communities are captured and mitigated against. A webinar will be held after the final event to give people who could not attend a chance to learn more about the scheme.
Jill Farrell, chief operating officer, Zero Waste Scotland, said: ‘We want to make sure that Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme works for the whole of Scotland. That’s why we are visiting Arran to speak with residents, businesses and stakeholders. We want to benefit from their insight into how this will work for the islands.
‘From reducing litter to cutting Scotland’s CO2 emissions, this scheme will deliver fantastic environmental benefits. Making that happen requires the involvement of the whole country and the scheme needs to be accessible and practical for every community.’
The Arran engagement event will take place at Auchrannie Resort, Brodick, on Friday October 25 from noon to 3pm.