Glaswegians have their say on a deposit return scheme for Scotland
Shoppers were keen to have their say on a Scottish deposit return scheme today (Wednesday 22 August, 2018) when Zero Waste Scotland was at the St. Enoch Centre in Glasgow.
22 Aug 18
People shared their thoughts on how a deposit return scheme could work best for them – making their views count on choices such as the level of deposit, which products should have a deposit on them, where they should be able to take their empty drinks containers to get the deposit back, and whether they’d like the option to donate the deposit instead.
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 27 June, 2018, and will remain open until 25th September.
Andrew Pankhurst, Recycling Campaigns Manager, Zero Waste Scotland, said:
“We were really encouraged by the response from members of the public and staff at the St. Enoch Centre. Now that a public consultation on a Scottish deposit return scheme is live we want as many people as possible to have their say; by doing so, you’ll be helping to shape the best possible scheme for Scotland.
“We’ve all seen the footage from Blue Planet II of the tragic effects that items we commonly use can have on wildlife when they end up in our oceans and landscapes. That’s why we’re going out and about across Scotland to ask for people’s views on a Scottish deposit return scheme – which represents a huge opportunity to improve recycling, reduce litter and create economic opportunities for Scotland at the same time.”
Anne Ledgerwood, General Manager at St. Enoch Centre, said:
“St. Enoch Centre was proud to support Zero Waste Scotland by welcoming them in-centre on Wednesday (22 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 anyone 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.”
The St. Enoch Centre event was part of a series of public events that Zero Waste Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government, is delivering around the country. The current programme is available at www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/deposit-return-scheme-events—and more events may be added soon.
A live webinar will also take place next Monday 27 August for those who have questions and can’t make it to an event. The hour-long webinar will be broadcast at https://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
The public consultation on a deposit return scheme 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
For media enquiries contact:
Yvonne Gallacher
m: 07576 785 001 / 01786 433930
e: yvonne.gallacher@zerowastescotland.org.uk
Notes For Editors
About Zero Waste Scotland and Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme
- Zero Waste Scotland is working on behalf of the Scottish Government to consider what kind of deposit return scheme could work best for Scotland. This work has involved consultation with hundreds of people, including many businesses and members of the public.
- A public consultation on a deposit return scheme for Scotland was officially opened by the Scottish Government on Wednesday 27 June, 2018. People of Scotland are urged to have their say by contributing their views to the consultation, which is available on the Scottish Government website at https://consult.gov.scot/environment-forestry/deposit-return-scheme
- The consultation focuses on 12 main factors which need to be considered when designing a deposit return scheme, such as how much the deposit should be; where containers can be returned; and who will manage the scheme.
- As part of the consultation, four hypothetical examples have been created – to help people understand how different factors of a deposit return scheme could vary to create different scheme designs with different outcomes for Scotland.
- Zero Waste Scotland is aiming to help people understand what a deposit return scheme is and how their views can help shape what type of deposit return scheme could work best for Scotland, Zero Waste Scotland will have a presence at locations across the country over the summer.
The current programme of public engagement events is as follows:
Already held:
- 29th June Glasgow Fort Shopping Centre, Glasgow
- 25th July Deep Sea World, North Queensferry
- 27-29 July ButeFest, Isle of Bute
- 1st August Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick
- 4th August Lewis Festival, Stornoway
- 11th August European Swimming Championships, Balloch
- 12th August Aviemore Triathlon
- 12th August Helix Park, Falkirk
- 22nd August St. Enoch Centre, Glasgow
Forthcoming:
- 24th August Scottish Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre, Perthshire
- 25th August Peebles Market
- 26th August Kirkintilloch Canal Festival – Gala Sunday
- 28th August Bon Accord Shopping Centre, Aberdeen
- 31st August Dundee Food and Flower Show
- 31st August Speirs Centre, Alloa, Clackmannanshire
- 1-2 September Edinburgh Mela
- 2nd September South Ayrshire Air Show
- 3rd September Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley
- 3-4 September Co-op, Lerwick, Shetland
- 5th September Eastgate Shopping Centre, Inverness
- 7th September Dumfries town centre
- 9th September Grampian Motorcycle Convention, Alford, Aberdeenshire
- 13th September Scottish Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre, Montrose Basin
- 14-16 September Perth Food and Drink Festival
- 14th September East Kilbride Shopping Centre
- 16th September Newmilns Festival, East Ayrshire
- 17th September North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre, Motherwell
- 20th September Rivergate Shopping Centre, Irvine
- 21st September Livingston Designer Outlet, Livingston
Please check www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/deposit-return-scheme-events for any latest updates to the events programme.
A live webinar will also take place next Monday 27 August for those who have questions and can’t make it to an event. The hour-long webinar will be broadcast at https://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
- Zero Waste Scotland exists to create a society where resources are valued and nothing is wasted. Our goal is to help Scotland realise the economic, environmental and social benefits of making best use of the world’s limited natural resources. We are funded to support delivery of the Scottish Government’s circular economy strategy and the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy.
- More information on all Zero Waste Scotland’s programmes can be found at www.zerowastescotland.org.uk. You can also keep up to date with the latest from Zero Waste Scotland though via our social media channels - Twitter | Facebook | Google Plus | LinkedIn
About St. Enoch Centre
St. Enoch Centre is located in Glasgow's busy city centre, one of the UK's top shopping destinations outside London. The first of its kind in Scotland, St. Enoch Centre was officially opened in 1989 and has since become one of the city's favourite shopping destinations.