ACS

In the Government’s attempt to reduce litter the UK could see the return of bottle deposits. Joan Ruddock, the minister for waste, has ordered a feasibility study of the proposals, which would see cash incentives for returning empties.

The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is keen to reduce the number of discarded bottles and cans, which it regards as the "worst litter offenders". It is also considering vending machines that would give cash back for used bottles and cans, and is talking to the manufacturers of such machines.

The study follows suggestions from Bill Bryson, the US-born travel author, who is also president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), for a take-back scheme. A similar project in his home state of Iowa saw litter reduced by 70 per cent. He said it gave litter a value and helped groups such as the Scouts, the homeless and churches to raise funds.

Miss Ruddock said: "I have asked officials to look at how we deal with the worst litter offenders, which are bottles and cans. It may be possible to devise a scheme where people deposit used bottles and cans and get a reward. I can see the attraction of take-back schemes with a reward.

"If only we could find a way of capturing the cans of those who drink in the street so they are not thrown on the street. If people consume on the street they are extremely unlikely to take empties home. We need to find more novel and creative ways instead of ending up with overflowing bins."

She said she was particularly keen to devise ways to encourage people to return drinks cans, as aluminium is expensive and can be recycled.

She confirmed: "I am happy to look again at this issue. There was some work done a few years ago on deposit schemes but they were not seen as effective in encouraging recycling. But dealing with litter is different."

The initiative comes as the CPRE launches its "stop the drop" campaign today to encourage the public to clean up litter.