The Scottish government has announced the details of a new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which will include aluminium and steel cans as well as drinks containers made of glass and PET plastic.
In an 8 May statement, the government said it would levy a 20p deposit charge on drinks containers as part of plans to combat climate change.
The ambitious scheme, said the government, is based on “successful international equivalents” and will see all shops that sell drinks offering deposit refunds to customers.
The scheme, which will include any bottle larger than 50ml, will need to be approved by the Scottish Parliament before being rolled out.
Addressing the parliament, cabinet secretary for environment, climate change and land reform Roseanna Cunningham said she intended to begin the legislative process for the scheme “this summer”.
Once the legislation process is complete, businesses will have a minimum of 12 months to get ready before the scheme becomes operational.
The cabinet secretary also stated that her overall aim “is to deliver the scheme in the current parliamentary session.” The next Scottish Parliament election is due to be held in May 2021.
“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,” said Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham.