Bottle return scheme would see litter vanish from Scottish streets
Zero Waste Scotland have forecast benefits of a Deposit Return Scheme
Nearly 31,000 plastic bottles could vanish from Scotland’s streets, beaches and green spaces every single day, thanks to Scotland’s upcoming Deposit Return Scheme.
Figures released by Zero Waste Scotland show the dramatic scale of litter reduction that could be seen in each local authority in Scotland.
Under the scheme, shoppers will pay a 20p deposit when buying drinks purchased in single-use plastic or glass bottles and aluminium or steel cans. People will get their money back when they return their empty container for recycling.
It's hoped the deposit will give people an added incentive to recycle their empty bottles and cans, and make people think twice about dropping them.
The figures published today reveal that people in Scotland go through a staggering 694 million plastic bottles every year with almost 12.5 million of these ending up as litter.
With a 20p incentive not to throw away empties, Zero Waste Scotland estimates a 90% reduction in litter for the materials in the scheme.
It's estimated nearly 31,000 fewer plastic bottles would be dropped in Scotland each day which adds up to more than 11 million every year.
With plastic bottles only one of the materials included in the scheme, the overall impact on litter is expected to be even higher.
Jill Farrell, Chief Operating Officer, Zero Waste Scotland said:
“Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme is going to make people think twice about dropping their empty bottles.
“Our new figures reveal just how big a difference that will make in reducing litter all across Scotland. From our beaches to the parks in our cities, there will be fewer bottles and cans spoiling our beautiful country.
“Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will give people a 20p incentive to do the right thing with their empty bottles and cans – take them back for recycling, rather than risk them ending up on our streets or in our rivers.
“Litter isn’t just an eyesore – it also pollutes our environment and seas. And for every bottle littered, more plastic has to be created, generating more planet-damaging emissions.
"When you take back your empty bottles to be recycled, you’ll not just be getting your 20p back – you’ll be doing your bit in the fight against the climate emergency."
The Scottish Government is expected to introduce legislation to enable the scheme later this year. It would add a 20p deposit to PET plastic bottles (like most fizzy drinks and water bottles), steel and aluminium cans and glass bottles, which could be reclaimed.
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