Deposits on drinks cans and bottles to cut waste

DEPOSITS could be levied on all drinks containers in a bid to cut litter and boost recycling, it was revealed yesterday.

The scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, would charge customers for items such as plastic bottles which is repaid when they return them for recycling.

The plans were drawn up for an Environment Bill under Theresa May’s government.

It would apply to containers up to three litres, bringing it closer to the “all-in” scheme campaigners want – and planned for Scotland – rather than a more limited system for smaller on-the-go bottles and cans.

The scheme is one of a number of measures to transform waste and recycling in England and follows a series of consultations.

Plans have also been drawn up to ensure that all households have a separate food waste collection by 2023, with kitchen scraps picked up weekly from all homes, including flats.

And within three years all English local authorities will be required to collect the same materials for recycling including glass bottles and jars, paper and card, plastic bottles including drinks and milk containers, detergent, shampoo and cleaning products, plastic pots, tubs and trays and steel and aluminium tins and cans.

Alongside making weekly food waste collections mandatory, the Government has said it will consider whether rubbish destined for landfill should be collected at least fortnightly.Yesterday Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “We know we must do all we can to protect our precious natural environment.

“There is a clear need to act to ensure we do not leave this planet to the next generation more polluted, more dangerous and denuded of its riches.

“The measures in our Environment Bill will position the UK as a world leader ensuring that after the EU Exit, environmental ambition and accountability are placed more clearly than ever before at the heart of government.”