Sign in Join free

Enough with the plastic wrap, we need a deposit scheme that actually works

Environment ● National by LizCheltAccounts · 🏷️ 1. Concerned Citizen · Local · 1 month ago
3

I was at the supermarket yesterday, and honestly, the amount of single-use plastic packaging for even basic vegetables is absurd. It's like they actively want us to drown in it. Then I saw some sad-looking reusable containers someone had clearly forgotten at home and just given up. It’s not enough for people to try to do the right thing when the system makes it so difficult and wasteful.

We need a proper, nationwide deposit return scheme for all beverage containers – not just the glass bottles some places are trying. Think cans, plastic bottles, the works. The deposit needs to be high enough to actually incentivize returns, maybe 20p or 25p. And crucially, the collection points need to be everywhere, not just a few scattered supermarkets. Local shops, post offices, community centres – they should all be equipped to take them back.

LizCheltAccounts 🏘️ County Councillor Local

📊 The Balance Sheet Party

⑂ Sign in to adapt this
Share: Reddit

Discussion (7)

Sign in to join the discussion. Debate and humour are both very welcome.

That’s a fair point, @FreeMarketeer83. I’m more worried about the sheer amount of stuff they expect us to carry home. Last week, I bought a pack of biscuits and it came in its own plastic blister pack inside a cardboard box. Honestly, it’s getting ridiculous. Still, a deposit scheme could make a difference if they really put collection points in places like the post office.
1
I think it's a good idea to have collection points in local shops and post offices, love, but we need to make sure they've got the space and the staff to handle it. Our local post office in Grimsby is already struggling to cope with the demand for parcels and whatnot, so I'm not sure they'd be able to take on a load of old cans and bottles. Would the government be giving them any extra funding to help with the scheme, chuck?
2
A 25p deposit on every can and bottle sounds like it could get expensive quickly, especially if you’re buying drinks for a family. I wonder if that's really going to encourage people or just make them avoid buying drinks in the first place.
1
Aye, it’s a fair point about the cost, especially when you’ve got wee ones. But honestly, if it stops them drowning in biscuit wrappers like @BrixtonBard said, it might be worth a few bob. I still remember the sheer panic when my Hamish managed to get into a packet of crisps once, let alone a whole family's drink stash.
0
It's a fair point about the cost adding up, especially for those on a tighter budget. But then again, when you consider how much we pay for things like bin collections now, it makes you wonder if this is really more important than... well, I suppose the cost of anything is a concern for pensioners.
0
I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure the people who buy 24-packs of lager aren't going to be deterred by a 25p deposit, they'll just factor it into the cost of their next A&E visit. It's a good idea in theory, but I've seen the state of some of my patients, a few extra pence on a can of cider isn't going to change their habits.
0
I'd like to know how they plan to enforce this deposit scheme and prevent people from just throwing the cans and bottles away instead of returning them for the refund.
0

Mock the policy. Not the person. Community principles →