Plastic deposit return scheme proposed: what we know so far
The Government is set to introduce a charge "of up to 22p" on drinks bottles in an effort to get more of us recycling
If you live in England, you will soon have to pay extra for your drinks bottles and cans as the price will include a deposit that you can get back if you return the container.
The idea is that by introducing a deposit we will all be encouraged to return plastic and glass bottles and aluminium and steel cans to be recycled.
It's not yet known how much the deposit will be, as the plan is still under consultation. However, the Telegraph is reporting the charge will be up to 22p. If correct, that would match the amount charged through the existing deposit scheme in Germany.
Other countries charge a lower rate: in Sweden the deposit is just 8p.
“We have already banned harmful microbeads and cut plastic bag use, and now we want to take action on plastic bottles to help clean up our oceans,”
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said when announcing the deposit scheme.
Gove added that there was no doubt that plastic was “wreaking havoc” on the marine environment and plastic bottles and cans “end up dumped on pavements and lobbed into rivers, lakes and the sea.”
At present, Brits use around 13 billion plastic drinks bottles every year but more than three billion are not recycled.
The 5p charge on single-use carrier bags reduced their use by 83%, it’s hoped the deposit scheme will have a similar effect and massively boost the recycling of drinks bottles.
“We need to see a change in attitudes and behaviour. And the evidence shows that reward and return schemes are a powerful agent of change.”
Scotland announced back in September that it was going to introduce its own deposit return scheme and the Welsh Government has launched a study to consider bringing a scheme in.
Read more: where does your 5p bag tax actually go?
Successful schemes across Europe
Charging people extra for single-use plastic drinks bottles and cans, then refunding the extra ‘deposit’ when the containers are returned has proved hugely successful elsewhere in Europe.
Countries such as Germany and Sweden have seen a huge increase in the amount of plastic that is recycled after the deposits were introduced.
In Norway a deposit scheme is claimed to have helped increase the recycling rate on bottles made from PET – the clear plastic used for many drinks bottles – to 94%.
There are now machines in shops across Norway that people can put their bottles and cans into in order to get their deposit back.
It’s not clear yet whether the British drinks industry will be expected to fund the deposit scheme, but that is what has happened in other countries.
The Norwegian scheme was brought in by the drinks manufacturers themselves, rather than the Government, after a tax was introduced on un-recycled bottles.
“I am thrilled that we will finally see the many benefits a deposit system will bring to England, not least the absence of ugly drinks containers in our beautiful countryside,” says Samantha Harding, from the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
“What’s significant is that producers will now pay the full costs of their packaging, reducing the burden on the taxpayer and setting a strong precedent for other schemes where the polluter pays.”
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In the B&NES area, having encouraged everyone to recycle by changing weekly rubbish collection from weekly to fortnightly, and recycling collections still weekly which with a huge investment in collection vehicles (some £6 million), and supplying a second recycling bin if requested, are we really expected to now sort our plastic bottles, our tin cans and glass bottles to take to a recycling point which will break down occasionally, and possibly have long queues frequently. A 6 pack of water could rise from £2 to £3 with £1 back if my kids bring the bottles back from school, and what's the likelihood of schools having collection points to make money? I appreciate that there are 3 billion bottles thrown down by litter louts each year and that these would likely be picked up by school kids eager to make money too. I can only see it as a way of boosting income for supermarkets; the shopping bill will increase dramatically and not all will be refunded so yes, it is a tax. Plus we will have to sort additional to current recycling with the possibility of leaks either in the street or in our cars being used to clog the roads in the rush to be green. I don't think the infrastructure will be in place to make this work.
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Good idea, hit 'em in the pocket if they won't do the right thing. At the same time the government could pay 2p per bottle returned to any recycling centre, but only on bottles carried in by a child under 10 years old - that should help keep the streets clean. Or how about a return to glass bottles only? Infinitely recycleable, no noxious chemicals leaching into the contents. Make sure all our bottles are produced in British factories and you have the start of a big industry. When we are free and clear of the EU monster then we will be able to do all these things without getting grief from the Eurocrats and their endless rules and regs....only two years to go.
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Another futile meaningless gesture in the name of 'save the planet'. Meanwhile billions of people across the world don't give a monkey's what happens . We have tax CO2,we have charged for plastic bags, our drives are full of wheelie bins of all colours and yet the plastic in the oceans grows. Haven't politicians realized that few people care less in this world.W e are here for too short a time to bother about the planet as it will last us. Make the deposit £5 to be realistic.
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03 April 2018