First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has today announced a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans will be rolled out across the country.
This means a surcharge could be added to drinks containers sold in shops, which will be refunded when they are returned.
Mrs Sturgeon announced the plans in Holyrood this afternoon following a consultation with Zero Waste Scotland.
It is estimated the scheme would save local authorities between £3 million and £6 million on litter clearance.
The deposit return scheme would be for plastic and glass bottles, and aluminium cans. It is aimed at reducing the plastic pollution which blights the world’s oceans.
The Scottish Government had asked the environmental group to model the impact and benefits of such a programme.
Nicola Sturgeon announces the introduction of a deposit return scheme in Scotland pic.twitter.com/cyY4Yjt2Kw
— Jenni Missye White (@Missycilious) September 5, 2017
Mrs Sturgeon said: “I can confirm today that we will design and introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers as an important part of our determination to tackle litter and clean up our streets.”
She also said a new climate change bill would be introduced in the coming year that would set “even more ambitious targets” aimed at reducing greenhouse gases.
The introduction of a “low emissions zones” in all four of the country’s biggest cities at a future date was also announced.
Zero Waste Scotland chief executive Iain Gulland said: A deposit return scheme follows on from the hugely successful carrier bag charge, and will help reduce litter as well as increasing recycling.
“Additionally, we welcome other actions proposed around environmental charging, for instance on single use cups, which seek to tackle items that are symbolic of our throwaway culture.
“Taken together, these measures are a real game changer for a zero waste society.”
