How local authorities could save £35m a year reducing litter

Deciding whether England should introduce a deposit return scheme (DRS) on bottles has long been a subject for debate. A new report by Keep Britain Tidy shows positive findings for those in favour of the scheme.

Local authorities had previously been worried about the introduction of the scheme, thinking that they would lose money because residents would desert current kerbside recycling collection schemes (a source of recycling revenue) in favour of the DRS.

While councils have long expected the introduction of the scheme to lower their revenue, the new findings show that revenues would in fact increase due to savings on litter collection, reduced levels of littering and lower landfill charges. The report shows that the introduction of the scheme could save England’s councils up to £35m a year.

The report analysed data across eight local UK authorities. Rather than losing income from the change, savings of between £60,000 and £500,000 were seen in each of the eight areas. The idea is simple: once used, a plastic bottle or can is returned to retailers in exchange for a refund of the small cash deposit. Deposit return schemes are already in place in 11 other European countries.

The countries that have a deposit plan for plastic bottles and cans, including the US, Norway and Germany, show that collection rates subsequently rise above 90 per cent and that littering is reduced.

Recycling plastic bottles

Research by Recycle Now shows that the number of plastic bottles evading recycling could reach 29 billion per year by the end of 2020. It currently stands at around 16 million per year in the UK.

The findings from the report are positive, and at Amberol, we are in support of any initiative that plans to improve recycling rates. However, until such a programme is introduced in the UK, local councils have to take action against littering and recycling.  When/if the scheme comes into place, it will also need to be complemented by a drive by councils to increase on-the-go recycling, too.

Perhaps the most effective way of reducing littering levels is making the disposal of waste as easy as possible for the public. Lower landfill charges will be incurred by councils and recycling targets will be met by encouraging waste separations at source of disposal.  

Amberol makes it easier for people to recycle with our wide range of indoor and outdoor public bins. Our Olympic Dual Recycling Bin has specially shaped apertures for bottles and paper to encourage recycling.

To find out more about the range of bins available and how we can help you, call 01773 830 930 or email sales@amberol.co.uk.