Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme will give drinks producers a chance to lead on climate emergency
With the regulations for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme now published, we’re on the cusp of a step change for recycling in Scotland.
Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme
Scotland will soon be the first part of the UK to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers. It will be available across all of Scotland and will make it easier for everyone to recycle their used bottles and cans, including all drinks sold in PET plastic, metal and glass.
How will it work?
Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme has been designed to make it easy for us all to do the right thing. People pay a small deposit of 20p when they buy a drink in a single-use container and then get the deposit back when they return the empty bottle or can.
When will it start?
Legislation was laid in the Scottish Parliament in September 2019. Once these regulations are passed by the Scottish Parliament, which is expected to happen early next year, there will then be an implementation period of at least 12 months before the scheme starts.
The benefits
Deposit return schemes are already established in many countries where they are helping to tackle climate change and reduce litter. Scotland is joining them, with a scheme deisgned to meet our unique needs, to tackle our throwaway culture and help protect our environment for generations to come.