Government must not bottle it but go all-in on recycling of drinks containers
Scotland is set to become the first part of the UK to introduce a deposit return scheme (DRS) fordrinkscontainers.thedrs sees a deposit added when a drinks product is purchased, which is refunded when the packaging is collected.
In 2018, more than 3,200 people and organisations responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the design of a DRS for Scotland. The recently published results to the consultation revealed there was a high level of support for a scheme that includes the widest range of materials possible. These include plastic containers, metal cans, glass containers, cartons, and disposable cups.
In the face of mounting public support for an all-in DRS, special interests are lobbying the Scottish government to exclude certain materials from the scheme. But creating a confusing two-tier system would make it even harder for consumers to recycle the drinks containers they use every day.
Protecting the environment and reducing waste means creating a truly circular economy in which recycling keeps materials out of the environment. A piecemeal DRS will do little to gain the confidence of Scots who have little time to navigate the bewildering complexities of our recycling system.
With Whitehall currently consulting on the introduction of a DRS in the rest of the UK, politicians south of the border are looking to Scotland to set a shining example of a system that works for people and planet. Australia, Norway and the Baltic countries have shown that a universal deposit scheme is possible and increases recycling levels. There is no reason we can’t follow suit.
If Holyrood pursue their stated DRS ambitions, they must listen to Scots and ensure they go all-out for an all-in DRS.
JOHN BURTON
Chief Executive Officer,
World Land Trust
SIAN SUTHERLAND
Co-founder, A Plastic Planet
CHRISTOPHER STEPHENSON
Head of Operations, Plan Vivo Foundation
KATHY WORMALD
Chief Executive Officer,
Froglife
JO ROYLE
Managing Director, Common Seas
NATALIE FEE
Founder, City to Sea
DOMINIC DYER
Chief Executive Officer,
Badger Trust
NEIL GARRICK-MAIDMENT
Executive Director, The Seahorse Trust