England’s bottle deposit return scheme could be model for here
STEPS in England to introduce a bottle and can deposit return scheme could pave the way for it to happen in Guernsey.
The government there has announced that all drinks containers, whether plastic, glass or metal, will be covered by a deposit return scheme.
Similar schemes operate in 38 countries, fees for those returning bottles or cans vary depending on the size and many use ‘reverse vending machines’ to automate the return.
Waste minimisation and recycling officer Tina Norman-Ross said consultation still needed to take place before they knew how an England scheme could work.
‘But the announcement that they are investigating this further is potentially a very welcome development,’ she said.
‘The scheme will involve both producers and retailers, which are critical ingredients in any sort of deposit scheme.
‘As an island, we cannot exert the sort of influence on suppliers that the UK government can, but we do have largely the same manufacturers and supermarket chains.
‘So if it happens in the UK that potentially overcomes a significant challenge for us.’
She said having a deposit scheme would help highlight to islanders the cost of dealing with materials used in packaging.
‘That hopefully encourages purchasers to make more informed decisions, for instance looking for products that don’t rely on single use containers,’ she said.
‘That awareness can help reduce the amount of waste produced, which is the greater goal.
‘It is better, both financially and environmentally, not to produce these materials in the first place, rather than having to rely on recycling or disposal to deal with them.’
For now Guernsey’s government will continue to focus on the public taking part in kerbside recycling and taking recyclables to bring banks.
‘The kerbside scheme will be extended in September to include glass, which will make that much more convenient,’ Mrs Norman-Ross said.
‘Plus, in 2019, we are introducing a new pay-as-you-throw charging system for general refuse.
‘That will provide a direct financial incentive to recycle all these items instead of putting them in the bin, which is effectively what a deposit-based system is designed to do.’
Scotland has already announced plans for a deposit return scheme, while in Wales ministers are keen to help implement a UK-wide system.
On 18 April the States will debate options to decide how to pay for the £32m. infrastructure needed for the export strategy.
