British households are set to receive payments for returning empty bottles to their local supermarkets, as part of a new initiative designed to cut plastic waste. The UK government has announced a deposit return scheme for drink containers that aims to “clean up Britain” by providing financial incentives for those who bring their used bottles and cans to designated collection points, rather than throwing them away.
These collection points will be located in well-known supermarket chains such as Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s, where the containers can be recycled and people rewarded for their efforts. The deposit return system is already in operation in more than 50 countries worldwide, including Germany, Sweden, and the Republic of Ireland, as a way to increase recycling rates of single-use beverage containers.
Set to begin in October 2027 across the UK, the programme will cover England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland – a combined population of 65 million – and will include single-use plastic and metal drinks containers from 150ml to three litres, reports the Mirror.
According to the UK government, consumers in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland buy around 30 billion single-use drinks containers each year, which includes 12 billion plastic bottles and 13 billion cans. Of these, roughly 6.5 billion single-use drinks bottles and cans annually are not recycled, resulting in substantial littering problems. The Government is relying on a financial incentive to increase recycling rates, with expectations that the new scheme will dramatically reduce the amount of plastic becoming waste, according to the Express.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated: “With successful examples in countries like Germany, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, deposit return schemes are a common-sense way to encourage us all to recycle our drinks containers. Under this scheme, a redeemable deposit is placed on specific drinks containers that can be claimed when the item is returned to a collection point, such as a local supermarket.
“There’s no need for a receipt or proof of purchase, so anyone can return their own drinks containers or ones that they find, as long as they’re in good nick. This means we can all chip in to help clean up our communities – and get something for it. This simple change will reward people for doing the right thing and recycling their empty drinks containers. Together, we will turn the tide on plastic waste.”
DEFRA has revealed that Wales is creating its own plastic deposit return scheme, which will work alongside those in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh declared: “This government will clean up Britain and end the throwaway society. This is a vital step as we stop the avalanche of rubbish that is filling up our streets, rivers and oceans and protect our treasured wildlife.
“Turning trash into cash also delivers on our Plan for Change by kickstarting clean growth, ensuring economic stability, more resilient supply chains, and new green jobs.”
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