Deposit return scheme ‘a major opportunity’

Scotland’s planned deposit return scheme for drinks cans and bottles will help drive sustainable economic growth, the Environment Secretary said.

Speaking on a visit to Changeworks Recycling in Edinburgh, Roseanna Cunningham said the scheme will increase trade and create jobs, as well as boosting recycling rates and cutting litter.

The scheme, which places a return value on items of 20p, is expected to be up and running by the end of the current Scottish Parliament in 2021.

Ms Cunningham said: “Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will not only be an effective way of increasing recycling rates and reducing litter, but also provide a major opportunity to secure a new source of high quality material, develop our recycling infrastructure and create jobs as part of our ambition to drive the circular economy.

“This is an opportunity for us all – industry, business and individuals – to transform our approach to production and use of raw materials, and consider the environmental impact of our actions.”

Ken Mclean from Changeworks Recycling said the scheme demonstrated Scotland’s commitment to tackling climate change.

He said: “Scotland has really ambitious waste reduction targets and the introduction of a deposit return scheme is a step in the right direction. Deposit Return is a high quality recycling initiative that demonstrates Scotland’s action on tackling the global climate emergency.”