Government proposes deposit scheme to cut waste

A deposit scheme is expected to to be introduced in England later this year, the government has announced.

Consumers may soon have to pay a deposit when they buy drinks in bottles and cans in a bid to cut waste and increase recycling. The customer will then get their money back once the glass or can is returned.

The scheme will cover single-use glasses, plastic bottles, steel and aluminum cans and will require an increase in prices at establishments.

Similar schemes in other countries have increased recycling by 90%.

Michael Gove, environment secretary, said: “We can be in no doubt that plastic is wreaking havoc on our marine environment.

“It is absolutely vital we act now to tackle this threat and curb the millions of plastic bottles a day that go unrecycled. We have already banned harmful microbeads and cut plastic bag use, and now we want to take action on plastic bottles to help clean up our oceans.”