Further dates and venues have been confirmed as part of Zero Waste Scotland’s commitment to talk to the people of Scotland about how a national deposit return scheme could work best, it was announced on 21 August.
During the summer, people across Scotland are getting the opportunity to share their views at events across the country – from festivals, to visitor attractions, shopping locations and community centres. For those who can’t make it to an event, there will be a webinar available where you can learn more about what a deposit return scheme could mean for Scotland.
Under a deposit return scheme, customers pay a small deposit when they buy drinks in, for example, a bottle or a can, and then get the deposit back when they return the empty container for recycling. A public consultation on a deposit return scheme for Scotland was officially opened by the Scottish Government on Wednesday 27th June 2018 and will remain open until 25th September.
15 new dates have now been added to the rolling programme since the initial 12 events were announced last month. A live webinar will also take place next Monday (27th August) for those who have questions and can’t make it to an event. The hour-long webinar will be broadcast at http://zerowastescotland.org.uk/DRS-live and on Facebook Live from 1pm. Questions can be submitted in advance or as part of the live event on Twitter to @zerowastescot.
Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham, said:
“A deposit return scheme will provide a new secure source of high quality material which will create opportunities to develop our recycling infrastructure in Scotland and create jobs. This will also improve the availability of recycled material for use in the production of bottles and cans in future.
“I would encourage everyone with an interest to provide their views on how this scheme can meet Scotland’s needs and help us tackle our throwaway culture.”
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said:
“I’m excited to be able to announce a further tranche of events across the country. We are aiming to visit as many areas across Scotland as possible, and importantly engage with as many people as possible–whether that be at events, through our webinar or via our online activity. I would like to extend my thanks to partners across the country for hosting us at such a wide range of locations.
“People will make this scheme a success—both for our environment and our economy. The Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland have committed to designing the best possible deposit return scheme for Scotland. We want it to work for everyone—and that’s why we’re calling on as many people as possible to have their say.”
Following a successful first event at Glasgow Fort in June, Zero Waste Scotland will be at some of the country’s top events and attractions this summer – including Edinburgh Mela, the South Ayrshire Air Show and Perth Food and Drink Festival.
Several events have been held in different parts of the country, starting in 29th June. The next event Zero Waste Scotland will hold will be at Glasgow’s St. Enoch Centre on Wednesday 22nd August, from 10.30am to 3pm.
Anne Ledgerwood, General Manager at St. Enoch Centre, said:
“St. Enoch Centre is proud to support Zero Waste Scotland and we’re looking forward to welcoming them in-centre on Wednesday 22nd August to consult on a Scottish deposit return scheme with our shoppers. It’s important that everyone comes together to help address the issues of plastic and we would encourage shoppers to share their views on the proposed scheme.
“The devastating impact of single-use items is known far and wide and we are pleased to be able to lend support to Zero Waste Scotland and do our part to spread the message about the importance of adopting a circular economy here in Scotland. It’s something we are continually working towards in-centre as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and waste reduction.”
Zero Waste Scotland staff will be available to chat through four hypothetical examples of how Scotland’s deposit return scheme could work. These are based on 12 main factors to be considered when designing a deposit return scheme.
The examples aim to help people understand how different factors of a deposit return scheme could vary to create different scheme designs with different outcomes for Scotland. Full details on the main factors and examples are available to view as part of the public consultation on the Scottish Government website: https://consult.gov.scot/environment-forestry/deposit-return-scheme.
Zero Waste Scotland research shows over 64,000 tonnes of plastic food packaging and plastic bottles is thrown away into household general rubbish bins and sent to landfill every year in Scotland, costing the country a staggering £11million each year. Meanwhile evidence shows countries with deposit return schemes operating overseas can reach over 90% recycling for targeted drinks containers, such as bottles and cans.
To view the current programme of Zero Waste Scotland public engagement events on deposit return, visit www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/deposit-return-scheme-events. More events may be added soon.
The public consultation on deposit return for Scotland is available on the Scottish Government website at https://consult.gov.scot/environment-forestry/deposit-return-scheme
More information on deposit return is available on the Zero Waste Scotland website at www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/deposit-return-scheme.
