Deposit Return Scheme Fan Club

“Surfers Against Sewage supports Deposit Return Schemes because they are a proven solution to tackle plastic pollution. By putting value on bottles and cans, DRS incentivises people to return their waste, keeping it out of our rivers, oceans, and green spaces. It’s a simple yet powerful way to protect wildlife, reduce litter, and move towards a circular economy where waste is no longer the norm.”

"Our research shows 70% of people report seeing littered drinks cans and plastic bottles littered regularly, with 29% saying that plastic bottles were seen as litter more now than 12 months ago. Additionally, we know from our detailed ground litter surveys that 29.5% of sites record a presence of litter which would be recoverable under a Deposit Return Scheme. We know a sufficient and well-designed Deposit Return Scheme is vital to tackle a significant contributor to Scotland's litter emergency, and we welcome the forthcoming UK scheme which we would have like to have seen implemented long before now."

"Deposit return is a really important step towards a more sustainable future. It means companies that make and sell bottles and cans of drinks will have to pay for the clean up of their products, rather than this money coming from the public purse."

"The Deposit Return Scheme will be a major step forward in managing litter and waste in the UK. For too long our natural environment has been a dumping ground for plastic and other drinks containers, killing wildlife and poisoning habitats. By incentivising people to return their drinks containers, DRS will help put an end to this needless pollution and allow resources to be used again and again"

"Planet Patrol is a big fan of Deposit Return Schemes, and we were so pleased when the UK government committed to introducing one here in 2027. Our litter data shows that plastic bottles and cans from big brands continue to pollute our public spaces, so it's really important that we find ways to tackle this.

"Better late than never! The UK should have had a DRS implemented long ago. It is an obvious way to reduce litter and encourage people to act more responsibly. Prevention is better than cure and constant litter picks and beach cleans is not a solution. We need schemes like this to stop the waste in the first place to keep our homes, communities, and planet clean and safe to live in."

“The transition towards DRS is a long-awaited step toward a truly circular economy where we value the resources that are put on the market. A well-designed DRS brings significant benefits for local authorities as well as the planet, reducing waste collection costs and enabling reuse and recycling systems to thrive. Combined with recent Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) reforms, it is a major opportunity to build a fairer, greener, and more sustainable future - one where every bottle and can contributes to a circular system that works for people, nature, and the economy.”

"We want a Scotland that leads on sustainability, not one that lags behind. A deposit return scheme, like Denmark's, is a simple win to clean up our streets and seas, and allow everyone to take practical environmental action towards a circular economy."