Scottish ministers to host summit on deposit return scheme in London

MINISTERS from across the UK could work together to develop schemes to encourage more people to recycle drinks cans and bottles.

Scottish Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham and new Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon will host a special summit being held at Scotland House in London.

The talks, which will involve politicians from England and Wales as well as officials from Northern Ireland, are taking place after the Scottish Government announced plans to bring in a deposit return scheme for bottles and cans.

It is hoped the different parts of the UK can agree a deal to work together in future in the design and operation of such initiatives.

The schemes will see shoppers pay a small deposit when they buy a drink in a single-use container and get the money back when it is returned empty.

The Scottish Government has commissioned the environmental organisation Zero Waste Scotland to investigate design options and the costs and benefits.

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Speaking ahead of the summit, Ms Cunningham said: “Scotland has shown its environmental leadership by becoming the first part of the UK to commit to a deposit return scheme, and we are now the first to consult on the detail of how this system can help us tackle our throwaway culture.

“This summit is an opportunity to work with the UK Government and other devolved administrations to help maximise the benefits of deposit return schemes across the nations of the UK.

“It’s also a chance to learn lessons from other administrations, such as Wales which has made great progress reducing its household waste.

“Agreeing to a set of principles will ensure that we are all working to common objectives, which provides the basis for further work around the potential for deeper co-operation around the design and operation of a deposit return scheme to reduce litter in our towns and countryside and protect our environment.”