Deposit return system for plastics could generate £2bn for UK economy
11th July 2019 | Recycling
An “all-in” deposit return system that accounted for all types of drinks cans and bottles in the UK could generate up to £2bn for the economy over a 10-year period, compared to £250m for an “on-the-go” system that collected less.
The UK Government announced plans in February 2019 to drastically modify waste management systems through a consultation. A key aspect of the consultation is the introduction of a consistent set of materials collected across England from households for recycling and a “world-leading” tax on plastic packaging, as outlined in the Resources and Waste Strategy late last year.
Deposit return
The Government announced it was exploring two variants of a deposit return system, which will operate for cans and plastic and glass bottles. An “all-in” model would focus on all beverages place on the market, irrespective of size, while the second, “on-the-go” model would restrict drinks containers that could operate in the system to less than 750ml and sold in a single format.
According to new research from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), an all-in system would generate £2bn over a 10-year period, while also reducing waste sent to landfill, improve water and air quality levels and reducing emissions associated with the production and extraction of raw materials. The charity notes that this would result in “huge savings” for the Treasury, local councils and taxpayers.
CPRE’s litter campaigner Maddy Haughton-Boakes said, “This is yet more evidence of the positive impact that a deposit return system will have on the whole of society. Taking us towards a circular economy, we will recycle almost all of the drinks cans and bottles we consume, slow down the depletion of scarce resources and reduce carbon emissions, all of which will have a lasting positive impact for our countryside and environment.
More information available on the website below
https://www.edie.net/news/5/Deposit-return-system-for-plastics-could-generate–2bn-for-UK-economy/