Scotland’s deposit return scheme will make it easy for people to “do something good” for the environment, says Zero Waste Scotland.
A YouGov survey commissioned by Zero Waste Scotland shows that nearly four in five (77%) people in Scotland support the introduction of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme – and helping the environment is among their top motivations (72%).
The recycling scheme will see a 20p deposit placed on single-use drinks containers. People will get their cash back when they take the empty back to be recycled and that financial incentive is expected to see 90% of bottles and cans captured for recycling.
That boost to recycling will reduce Scotland’s CO2e emissions by an estimated 160,000 tonnes every year. That means that people will be playing a part in Scotland’s response to the climate emergency with every bottle or can they return.
The poll also reveals what will motivate people when using the scheme. The figures suggest that helping the environment will be at the forefront of people’s minds.
72% of people said that helping the environment would be a motivating factor for returning their empty drinks containers, while 70% said reducing litter in Scotland.
People in Scotland are more environmentally aware than ever before but it can be hard to know how to respond to something as monumental as the climate emergency at an individual level. This scheme will give them an action they can do week in and week out to help cut Scotland’s carbon footprint
People will be able to return their empty bottles and cans to anywhere that sells drinks to take away – including newsagents, supermarkets and many cafes and takeaways. Having a wide network of return points will make sure the scheme is accessible and will make returning your empty bottle or can as simple as it was to buy the drink in the first place.
Iain Gulland, chief executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will make it easy for people to do something good for the environment.
“People in Scotland are more environmentally aware than ever before but it can be hard to know how to respond to something as monumental as the climate emergency at an individual level. This scheme will give them an action they can do week in and week out to help cut Scotland’s carbon footprint.
“By taking back your empty bottle or can, you won’t just get your 20p back. You’ll also be reducing the amount of raw materials that are used to make bottles and cans.
“That means you’ll be playing a part in Scotland’s response to the climate emergency every single time you take your bottle or can back to be recycled.”
Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, said:“I am pleased, but not surprised, to see the strength of support for Scotland’s Deposit Return scheme, with its multiple environmental benefits a key factor.
“We all – governments, businesses, communities and individuals – have a role to play in ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change. As well as giving everyone renewed incentive to reduce litter and tackling our throwaway culture, our ambitious Deposit Return Scheme will give the people of Scotland a simple yet effective way to help reduce carbon emissions, by reducing the volume of raw materials being used and instead supporting a thriving, circular economy.”
