Yesterday Scotland announced plans to introduce a deposit return scheme for bottles and cans.
The programme, which is based on schemes from Scandinavian countries, involves customers paying a fee of around 30p which is returned to them once they return the bottle or can to the shop.
The scheme aims to reduce the amount of cans and bottles in circulation by 39 million, leading to much less waste, and in turn mean cleaner coastlines.
Unhappy Irn Bru claim the scheme will cost £150 million extra per year
According to Zero waste Scotland, who’ve been consulting the Scottish government, the DRS scheme could save authorities £3M-£6M.
The system will also increase recycling, with drink containers expecting to jump from 50%- 90%, resulting in higher quality recycling material for Scottish companies, and more jobs.
Pease Bay: DRS system should see less bottles in Scottish waters (Image: Brian Turner)
For years surfers have been trying to decrease the amount of plastic in the ocean. Some core examples are Tim Nunn’s Plastic Project, Martin Dorey’s #2minutebeachclean and veteran campaigners SAS. Hopefully this scheme will be a step in the right direction for all their hard work!
However some drinking companies aren’t happy with the scheme. Ag Barr, the makers of Irn Bru, who put an end to their own DRS scheme a few years ago, told the Guardian that “the cost to the consumer would be in the region of £150 million extra per year”.
Another concern Ag Barr voiced was the potential for DRS fraud. There is potential for cross-border trafficking on deposit-bearing containers.
With one lorry able to carry £32,000 worth of crushed cans, and a £400 expense to move a lorry load of cans from England to Scotland, turns out one man’s trash really could be another man’s treasure!
