Deposit scheme gathers pace

Industry groups representing retailers, small businesses, pubs and the Scotch whisky sector are among those chosen to advise ministers on a deposit return scheme for drinks containers.

The Scottish Government has set up the Deposit Return Scheme Implementation Advisory Group to provide expertise and guidance on creating an effective scheme.

Under such a system, customers would pay a deposit on top of the price of a drink, which is then refunded when the container is recycled at a designated point of return.

Similar schemes are common across Europe, with some countries achieving recycling rates of 95 per cent compared with 50 per cent in Scotland.

The advisory group includes the British Soft Drinks Association, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association and the Federation of Small Businesses.