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Moves to improve recycling rates
27/07/2008
The Scottish Government is seeking views on a possible return to the era of returnable lemonade bottles in a bid to improve recycling rates.
'Deposit and return' schemes - rarely seen in Scotland in recent years - could become a common sight across the country, this time backed up with cutting edge technology.
The idea forms part of a new consultation on possible legislation, aimed at helping to create a 'Zero Waste' Scotland to be launched next week.
Evidence from other countries strongly suggests that 'deposit and return' could significantly increase levels of recycling.
It is statutory in Denmark where deposits apply to all cans and bottles containing beer, cider, soft drinks, alcopops and energy drinks. Their return rate for bottles for recycling is around 85 per cent, approaching around 100 per cent for bottles designed for re-use.
In Scotland, there may also be scope to extend the scheme to other material, including aluminium trays from takeaways and tin cans.
The use of hi tech 'reverse vending', where a consumer feeds their empty bottle or container into a machine for financial reward is also under consideration.
Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Richard Lochhead said:
"In recent years, Scotland has been making steady progress in increasing recycling rates and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
"However, the Scottish Government is committed to achieving a recycling rate of 70 per cent and cutting municipal waste sent to landfill to five per cent by 2025.
"The time is now right for a major push towards making these targets a reality to help limit the effects of climate change.
"To do this we must reduce the unnecessary use of raw materials, prevent waste and use more recycled material.
"In Scotland, we estimate that currently around 30 per cent to 40 per cent of glass bottles are recycled and around 35 per cent of household plastic bottles are recycled, using existing arrangements such as bottle banks in the street or elsewhere and kerbside collections.
"While these figures are undoubtedly an improvement on where we once were, there is still more we can do.
"A fresh look at deposit and return schemes, including hi-tech 'reverse vending machines' are a real possibility and could double the number of bottles recycled in Scotland. They could also be used for other drinks containers, as well as food tins and aluminium trays from takeaways.
"Some deposit and return schemes still operate on a voluntary basis around the country, with evidence of success.
"For example, at the T in the Park this year, revellers were encouraged to bring their empty plastic glasses back to the bars to be recycled with an incentive of 10p per glass - this seems to have been a real hit with the music fans."
"I am very keen to explore the role that 'deposit and return' could play in creating a 'Zero Waste' Scotland and want to hear the views public bodies, businesses and individuals alike.
"We all have a role to play in ensuring Scotland becomes a cleaner, greener place and dealing with our waste responsibly is a huge part of that."
In Scotland, there used to be systems in place (on a non-statutory basis) under which consumers were charged a deposit for some bottles (such as lemonade) and then got the deposit back when they were returned. The bottles were then sent back to the manufacturer for re-filling (the bottles were re-used rather than sent off for recycling). These systems have largely disappeared, although Barrs still use it for some of their Irn Bru bottles.
A similar system also operated in relation to delivery of milk bottles: these were returnable, although no deposit was charged in the first place. Again, this is much less common now, as most people buy their milk from retailers, rather than get it delivered.
As in Scotland, there are also some deposit and refund systems in place in other countries on a voluntary basis, without legislation. There are also examples of other countries and jurisdictions running deposit and return schemes, whilst their neighbours do not.
Any moves to a statutory 'deposit and return' system in Scotland would require close and further consultation with retailers and other bodies. Any new statutory system would also need to be in line with EU obligations.
In Denmark, the amount of the deposit is laid down by the Danish Ministry of the Environment. The deposit is refunded when the container is returned to a store or outlet. From December 2008, the deposit system in Denmark is being extended to mineral water, lemonade and iced tea.