Chance to have say on deposit return scheme for plastics

Residents are being urged to have their say on how a national deposit return scheme could work best for the country.

North Queensferry is the next venue in a series of nationwide public engagement events by Zero Waste Scotland. It runs from 10am to 3pm today in Deep Sea World.

During the summer, people across Scotland will have the opportunity to share their views at various events.

Under a deposit return scheme, customers pay a small deposit when they buy drinks in a bottle or a can, and then get the deposit back when they return the empty container for recycling.

A public consultation was officially opened by the Scottish Government last month.

Zero Waste Scotland chief executive Iain Gulland said: “People will make this scheme a success – for our environment and our economy. The Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland have committed to designing the best possible deposit return scheme for Scotland.

“We want it to work for everyone – and that’s why we’re calling on as many people as possible to have their say.”

Zero Waste Scotland team members will be in North Queensferry to ask visitors and staff their views on how the scheme could be run.

Deep Sea World’s Fraser Edwards said: “From news coverage and documentaries to community action groups and social media, it is evident that we need to make a change to the materials which our goods are packaged in and how we dispose of them.

“We aim to educate our visitors on the importance of protecting our oceans and reducing single-use plastics.”