Former minister sponsors deposit scheme event
FORMER environment minister Richard Lochhead is leading calls for the creation of a Bottle Deposit Return scheme with the support of Scottish and international pressure groups.
The SNP MSP for Moray took his case to Holyrood in December, sponsoring a presentation from John Mayhew, director of the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland.
The APRS has been campaigning for a bottle deposit scheme and says its research shows that almost eight out of ten consumers support the idea.
And international environmental group Greenpeace has launched a petition for a new bottle return scheme saying that a recent poll showed that 93% of people in Scotland are concerned about the effect of plastic litter in the ocean on marine wildlife and birds.
AG Barr was the last manufacturer to scrap its bottle deposit scheme in 2015 saying that having peaked at a return rate of 99% in the 1950s, less than 53% of bottles were being returned in the 21st century.
A spokesperson said: “We believe the focus should remain on continuing to educate the public on the importance of recycling and changing consumer behaviour in relation to litter.”
John Mayhew said the APRS began its campaign because it is sick of the sight of litter in the countryside and Richard Lochhead added: “The lesson learned from the carrier bag charge is that if we attach a value to something like empty cans and bottles, which have become such a blight, people will be less likely to throw them away.
“It doesn’t take long for the public to show support for a policy which makes a real difference.”
