PLANS for a deposit return scheme have been backed by Renfrewshire councillors, writes Jack Thomson.
The initiative will see consumers pay an upfront deposit of 20p when they buy a drink, which is redeemed on return of the empty container.
Draft legislation on the scheme will be published later this year, which councillors say they are eagerly anticipating.
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Councillor Natalie Don, the SNP administration’s depute convener of Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “I am very much looking forward to seeing the rollout of the deposit return scheme in Renfrewshire, and think it is an extremely positive move.
“Too much litter is thrown away with no second thought and while in Renfrewshire we have taken a proactive approach to this with the Team Up to Clean Up campaign, I think anything that could help to reduce the problem should be celebrated.
“Having been involved in various litter picks, both Councillor McEwan and I are only too aware of the fact that the litter being picked up is predominantly made up of plastic bottles and cans.
“I believe the scheme will complement the Team Up to Clean up campaign, as well as the council’s current recycling efforts.”
The scheme – which aims to combat climate change – will include aluminium and steel cans as well as drinks containers made of glass and Polyethylene terephthalate plastic.
Councillor John Hood, the Labour group’s environment spokesman, was similarly supportive of the scheme but believed there were still questions to be answered.
He said: “I have always been a great admirer of the deposit return scheme because I was brought up with it, when we use to collect bottles and you got the money back. At that time, it was ten pence a ginger bottle.
“Whether it will complement the recycling system in Renfrewshire, I’m not sure. It’s a system that’s had mixed reviews.
“The deposit return scheme is a fantastic idea but how it’s going to be implemented, I’ve no idea.
“Do we honestly think shops are going to embrace taking in bottles? That’s what I’m worried about.”
Renfrewshire Council introduced a new refuse service in December, as it aimed to boost recycling.
It saw residents issued with a green bin for plastics, cans and glass, meaning the blue bin is for paper, card and cardboard only.
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As a result, the grey general waste bin is collected once every three weeks, instead of once a fortnight.
When asked if the deposit return scheme would be a help or hindrance to its current work on recycling, Renfrewshire Council said it aligned with its own local priorities.
A spokesman for the local authority said: “We’re supportive of the plans to bring in a deposit return scheme and look forward to the draft legislation being published later this year.
“Its aims of increasing recycling, while reducing litter and pollution, will be of benefit to the environment and are aligned with our local priorities in Renfrewshire.”
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