Deposit scheme could see millions going to charities

The Government has done a lot of talking about a deposit return scheme but has done precious little other than talk to implement it. The Scottish Government, meanwhile, has recently announced a deposit return scheme that will see a 20pence deposit added to the price of a single use drink container. This 20p will be handed back to the customer when they return the plastic bottle. In so doing the Scots have become the first nation in the United Kingdom to introduce such a scheme.

The Scottish scheme has won the blessing of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), who have said that if a similar scheme were introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, it could conceivably raise £2.3 billion for local charities.