Four out of five Scots back bottle and can plan

ALMOST four out of five Scots back the introduction of a deposit and refund system for bottles and cans used for drinks, a survey has found.

The Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS) said Scottish ministers is now “looking positively” at such a scheme in a bid to increase recycling rates.

The Scottish Government already has the power to introduce the initiative under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act of 2009 and APRS has now published a poll showing 78.8 per cent of people are in favour.

Under the scheme shoppers would have to pay a deposit when buying drinks in cans and bottles but this would be refunded when they return the empty containers.

The research by Survation showed 41.1 per cent of people are strongly in favour of a deposit and refund scheme, while a further 37.7 per cent “somewhat support” it. Only 3.3 per cent strongly oppose it.

APRS d i r e c t or John Mayhew said: “These results are a robust mandate for ministers to do the right thing and bring in a deposit refund system for Scotland.

“We know it works in other countries. We also know the current approach means cans and bottles end up as landfill and litter, wasting resources, spoiling our environment and forcing up costs to councils.”

WWF Scotland director, Lang Banks said: “Deposit and return systems which encourage refilling and recycling have been shown to work successfully elsewhere, so it’s very encouraging to see the vast majority of Scots would welcome it here.

“Reducing waste is essential if Scotland is reduce its environmental and carbon footprints.”