Paisley shop owner asks customers to return empty drinks containers

Javid Ghafur had a reverse vending machine installed before the Deposit Return Scheme was delayed until 2025.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 15th Jun 2023

A Paisley shop owner is urging customers to get ahead of the government and bring back their empty drinks containers.

Javid Ghafur had a reverse vending machine installed before the Deposit Return Scheme was delayed until 2025.

He told Clyde 1: "I do not think we need to wait for legislation and the government to knock their heads together.

"Our machine was already ordered and Biffa had already agreed to take away all waste the for recycling so I felt it was important for us to carry on and use the equipment."

He is going to donate 5 pence for every plastic bottle or can returned to local primary schools to help with their garden projects.

READ MORE: Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme delayed until 2025

The initiative is not the same as the deposit return scheme and Javid has not put a 20 pence mark up on the drinks.

He added: "Children are already loving collecting their containers, putting them in the machine and getting a receipt telling them how much they have donated to their school.

"If the October 2025 date is pushed back any further then I really feel that we will be failing the kids in our community who have taken on board the whole purpose of this scheme."

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