BANISH THE BOTTLES

and to work with those of us with a direct interest in the drink market to ensure that a deposit return system can be designed that works well with our existing businesses.

‘If all parties with an interest have their voices heard we are confident even a modest deposit on drinks containers can deliver the same benefits other countries have already seen, in terms of litter, climate change, resource efficiency and other economic benefits.’

We revealed on Wednesday that a bottle, can or lid has been discovered on average every 10ft on Scotland’s beaches. And it is estimated that 130,000 plastic bottles and cans are dumped onto our streets and public places every single day.

The Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland launched a petition urging Miss Cunningham to press ahead with a deposit return scheme to tackle the blight of discarded drinks containers. Under the proposal, customers would pay up to 10p extra on all bottles or cans they purchase but would get the money back if they return the empty containers to collection points in supermarkets, stores and shopping centres.

Last night, a spokesman for wholesaler Dunns Food and Drink said it already operates a glass return scheme and would welcome efforts to roll this out Scotlandwide. He said: ‘As the last remaining advocates of the traditional Scottish “glass cheque” in our returnable glass bottle soft drinks flavours, we feel that it is natural to show our support to the Have You Got The Bottle campaign for a full Scottish deposit return system.

‘Any steps to help reduce wastage further and protect our countryside,