The scheme would include special machines, known as reverse vending machines, and designated sites where people can return their bottles and receive their cash back.
Every year UK consumers go through an estimated around 14 billion plastic drinks bottles and nine billion drinks cans, many of which are littered or condemned to landfill. The new scheme, covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland, is set to be introduced in 2025, following extensive work with industry to prepare for the necessary changes.
Pow said: “We want to support people who want to do the right thing to help stop damaging plastics polluting our green spaces or floating in our oceans and rivers. That is why we are moving ahead using our powers from our landmark Environment Act to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers. This will provide a simple and effective system across the country that helps people reduce litter and recycle more easily, even when on the move.”
International examples show that a deposit return scheme can become a simple part of daily life to make recycling easier, with recycling rates above 90% in Germany, Finland and Norway. Current recycling rates for drinks containers in the UK sit at around 70%. A target is in place to collect over 85% of returnable drinks containers once the scheme is up and running.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “Sustainability is a key focus for hospitality and, as part of the sector’s goal to reach net zero by 2040, venues have already made great strides to reduce plastic use and maximise recycling. As we have seen in Scotland, the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme is a colossal and complex undertaking.
"Lessons must be learned from that scheme, in particular the need for ample time to bring businesses along on the journey to ensure it is workable. The Government’s planned implementation in 2025 is an encouraging start. There will be nuances between sectors which need factoring into the scheme’s design. For example, the operation of an online takeback scheme is simply not practical for hospitality.
"We would encourage the Government to provide an exemption for this, like in Scotland. In order for this scheme to be a success, it needs to be designed in tandem with industry and it’s positive that the Government has made that commitment today.”