The city of Aberdeen is being invited to have its say on how a national deposit return scheme could be used to cut down plastic pollution.
Research from Zero Waste Scotland shows over 64,000 tonnes of plastic food packaging and plastic bottles is sent to landfill every year in Scotland, costing the country a staggering £11 million each year.
Meanwhile evidence shows countries with deposit return schemes operating overseas can reach over 90% recycling for targeted drinks containers such as bottles and cans.
Crisis in fight against plastic pollution on Aberdeenshire beaches
Under the proposed national scheme, Aberdeen customers would pay a small deposit when they buy drinks in a bottle or a can and then get the deposit back when they return the empty container for recycling.
A meeting, taking place at the Bon Accord centre on Tuesday August 28, is part of a consultation process taking place all over Scotland.
Iain Gulland, CEO of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “We have added an Aberdeen event to our summer schedule and we are also working hard to add an event in the Aberdeenshire area, with support from Aberdeenshire Council.
“People will make this scheme a success, for our environment and our economy.
“We want it to work for everyone and that’s why we’re calling on as many people as possible to have their say.”
Factors such as the level of deposit, which products should have a deposit set and where people should be able to take their empty drinks containers to get the deposit back will all be discussed at the meeting.
Craig Stevenson, centre manager of the Bon Accord Centre, said: “As a business and as individuals, we know that it can be challenging when looking for alternatives to traditional plastic packaging.
“Measures such as a Scottish deposit return scheme however makes it easier for all of us to take these positive steps for a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
The deposit return scheme meeting will take place at the Bon Accord centre on Tuesday August 28.
Visit www.zerowastescotland.org.uk for more information.
