Common Space The Scottish Government has announced a deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks and containers as part of plans to tackle climate change.

Announcing the new scheme, which will include the ability to return aluminium and steel cans as well as drinks containers made of glass and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic to retailers with a 20p deposit, Climate change minister Roseanna Cunningham MSP stated: “Scotland was the first part of the UK to commit to a deposit return scheme as part of our wider efforts to prevent discarded drinks containers from ending up in our streets and seas, and is now the first to outline its design – one that is ambitious in scale and scope, and which gives the people of Scotland a clear and straightforward way to do their bit for the environment.

“There is a global climate emergency and people across Scotland have been calling, rightly, for more ambition to tackle it and safeguard our planet for future generations. I am therefore delighted to confirm that I intend to implement a system covering PET – the most common form of plastic packaging – aluminium and steel cans, and glass, with a deposit refund set at 20p.

“Supported by international evidence our plans for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme are gathering pace with widespread consensus demonstrating that a well-run, appropriately-targeted scheme could improve the environment, change attitudes to recycling and litter, and support a more circular economy.” Click here to read more