Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme Claire Munro, Communications Lead, Deposit Return Scheme

What is a deposit return scheme?

How does it work? Deposit return is a crucial part of the strategy planned by the Scottish Government to tackle climate change and the problems created by single-use items. It will help us all to change our throwaway culture. What’s included in the scheme?   PET plastic bottles, metal cans, glass bottles are included in the scheme When you buy a drink one of these single-use containers, you’ll pay a 20p deposit Where can people return empty containers? You can return your empty container to any shop or takeaway restaurant. You can hand back containers in different ways: Over the counter Through a machine (called a Reverse Vending Machine) Via an online retailer What happens then? You get your deposit back Community groups can get involved too. For example, community groups, such as schools, could act as return points. The empty bottles and cans are collected for recycling. The scheme will capture 90% of containers in the scheme for recycling. How will the scheme be run? The scheme will be managed by the producers of the drinks, and retailers. As a form of extended producer responsibility, it will be funded by producers. This is in line with the way most schemes work internationally. How will it be paid for? The scheme will be paid for through three sources of funding: unredeemed deposits, revenue from the sale of materials and a producer fee.

Deposit return schemes are used in 45 countries and territories around the world…from Sweden to Saskatchewan

Tackling Climate Change Benefits Social benefits Behaviour Change Recycling quality The Economy Tackling Climate Change Recycling quantity Litter prevention

Currently, Scotland recycles just half of drinks containers

Scotland’s deposit return scheme aims to capture at least 90% of target containers for recycling.

Scotland’s deposit return scheme will capture an estimated 1 Scotland’s deposit return scheme will capture an estimated 1.5bn drinks containers for recycling each year.

That’s an average of around 160,000 tonnes of CO2eq each year, the equivalent of taking 85,500 cars off the road

With over 17,000 return points across Scotland (over 10,000 of which will be hospitality), it will be just as easy to return a drinks container, as it is to buy one

Key Messages & Benefits Scotland’s scheme World-class Easy, accessible Game-changer (for recycling, litter, behaviour) Circular Evidence-based Industry-funded

What Can I Do? Follow us on social media! Show your support using #DepositReturn Share our content with your friends and contacts Visit depositreturn.scot for info and updates Sign up for our stakeholder newsletter Download our stakeholder pack

Thank you For more information, including a comprehensive list of FAQs, please visit:   Depositreturn.scot @ZeroWasteScot #DepositReturn www.linkedin.com/company/zero-waste-scotland www.facebook.com/zerowastescotland We issue a regular stakeholder newsletter. To sign up, contact: drs@zerowastescotland.org.uk