Deposit return schemes are used extensively abroad (including Ireland, Sweden and Germany), yet still in England we don’t have theme, with legislation having been delayed yet again.
This is due to not wishing to include glass bottles (the third most littered item on beaches, and broken glass can harm children, pets and wildlife, when littered on land).
Almost 20 million bottles and cans are littered daily, in the UK.
Ireland collected 2 million containers within the first 2 months of operation. So a delay is going to cause huge litter issues for another 24 months.
Yet in countries with deposit return schemes (which provide a small financial incentive for returning used and littered bottles to reverse vending machines), around 90% to 98% of all bottles are recycled (you won’t find discarded plastic bottles or drinks cans anywhere).
2 years after a deposit return scheme launched in Latvia, littered drinks containers on the Baltic Sea coastline reduced by half.
And volunteers looking to clean up the largest river, found not one drinks container.
How do Deposit Schemes Work?
If you buy a drink in a plastic bottle or can, you pay a small deposit (around 20p) on top of the price.
Then you simply take your empty drinks container to the nearest reverse vending machine (with the lid on) and pop it in. The machine reads the barcode, and returns your deposit.
People abroad use these machines to either:
- Receive a small rebate (the average Finn earns around £40 a year – which helps to fund their massive coffee-drinking habit – 4 cups a day – more than anyone on earth!)
- Earn a living (obsessive recyclers go around looking for empty littered containers, then put them in reversed vending machines). There is enough litter on our streets, in the countryside and on beaches, to likely earn a good income).
- Donate to charity (some community reverse vending machines let you donate your deposit to good causes). In Victoria (Australia), these have helped to fund local shelters, hospital equipment and even football team kits).
Set up a Cash for Cans Community
Until we have a deposit return scheme, you can set up a Cash for Cans facility in your area. This lets local people recycle cans, and raise cash for local causes.
Metal merchants will pay 30p to 50p per kilo (around 80 cans). So (with 6.5 billion cans littered each year in the UK).
So that’s at least £250 million that could go to good causes, and remove litter off our streets at the same time.
Cash for Cans has already:
- Raised £15,000 for an Air Ambulance in Hampshire (collection points in local churches to vineyards).
- Bought a football kit, defibrillator and recycled plastic picnic benches for an Exeter football club
- Raised £75,000 for a Hindu temple (used cans & foil)
Switzerland’s ‘Polluter Pays’ Law
Surprisingly, litter-free Switzerland is one of the few European countries not to have a deposit return scheme.
However what it has instead is a ‘polluter pays’ principle, written into law. Something that many UK environmentalists have campaigned for, where fast food restaurants and companies cover the cost of recycling their own plastic packaging, via a small tax.
As a result, Switzerland has some of the highest recycling rates in the world. It banned combustible waste in landfills since 2000.
The Circular Returnable Coffee Cup
Millions of disposable coffee cups are thrown away each day. The paper can’t be recycled due to plastic lining, which breaks into microplastics if the cups are littered. Sweet caramel liquids can tempt dogs and wildlife (harmed by caffeine or xylitol).
We like Sanctuary Coffee (profits help animals!) NHS says to avoid caffeine for pregnancy/nursing (chain store coffee has more caffeine).
The Circular Returnable Cup has been 2 years in development, to offer a quality returnable cup for coffee shops, universities and other establishments. Not only is this good for the planet, but it saves you money, as each cup can be washed 500 to 1000 times.
Millions of disposable coffee cups are thrown away each day. The paper can’t be recycled due to plastic lining, which breaks into microplastics if the cups are littered. Sweet caramel liquids can tempt dogs and wildlife (harmed by caffeine or xylitol).
Depending on your business, you can choose to take small deposits manually, but the scheme is set up to use with bank cards and QR codes, for ease of use for regular coffee shop drinkers.
You can read a case study of a successful scheme in place in Cornwall. Customers pay a £1 deposit a returnable cup, then return for a refill or refund. The scheme has proved very popular.
Returnable cups are becoming increasingly popular, as an alternative to refillable coffee cups (which are also good). Major chain brands are getting on board, and the scheme is also now up and running at Blenheim Palace, for visitors.
To avoid clogged sinks (and plumbing bills), invest in a sink protector mat which will collect coffee grounds (just bin them, as latest advice suggests caffeine could harm compost bin creatures).
Cuts Down on Litter
A DRS stops people from thoughtlessly tossing cans and bottles away, making them too valuable to throw out. If bottles or cans carry a small deposit, people have a reason to return them for money.
In other countries, streets and public spaces have stayed much tidier after these schemes began. Litter drops quickly, making towns and countryside cleaner and more inviting. Everyone benefits from living somewhere that looks and feels cared for.
Boosts Recycling Rates
Plastic and glass recycling rates in England have stalled, often stuck below 50%. A well-run DRS usually pushes return rates far higher. In parts of Europe, over 90% of drinks containers come back for recycling.
That means more bottles and cans get turned into new products, cutting the need to dig up fresh resources. When more people return containers, recycling becomes a habit, and waste keeps shrinking.
Protects Wildlife and Nature
Wildlife suffers when bottles, cans and broken glass are left behind. Birds and animals often get hurt by sharp edges or trapped inside larger containers. These items pollute rivers, harm fish and leave lasting damage.
By encouraging people to return their containers, a DRS keeps dangerous rubbish out of nature. Local parks, rivers and woodlands become safer places for everyone and everything living there.
Reduces Plastic Pollution
Plastic bottles are a main source of litter. They break down into tiny pieces, known as microplastics, which end up in the soil, rivers and even the food chain. A DRS helps keep bottles out of bins and away from landfill sites, slowing the spread of plastic pollution.
It helps stop plastics entering water, parks and even the air we breathe. Tackling plastic at the source makes a real difference to the entire environment.
Saves Money for Councils
Collecting and cleaning up street litter costs councils a fortune each year. A DRS means less rubbish to gather up, saving millions in taxpayer funds. Councils can spend more on other needs, from fixing roads to supporting libraries.
BrummieCup is already in use in Birmingham, and immensely popular. The only caveat at present is that it has no reusable lid, but that could be solved by investing in silicone reusable coffee cup lids.
Creates Jobs and Economic Activity
Running a DRS means new jobs, from collection points to recycling plants. These roles are needed across the country, bringing work to local areas. The demand for processing and transport grows, which boosts the economy.
By returning more bottles and cans, England can create steady jobs in recycling and waste management, supporting people and their communities.
Brings People Together
A DRS gives everyone a reason to return their empty bottles and cans, helping neighbours, families and local groups work together. Schools or charities can collect containers as a source of extra money.
Local clean-up days become more rewarding when there’s a real return for the hard work. This shared effort can help build pride and a sense of community, while making local areas healthier.
Responds to Public Demand
Most people in England are fed up with litter and want more action to protect the environment. Surveys show strong public backing for deposit return schemes, with many calling for swift action.
People want a system that rewards good behaviour and makes recycling part of daily life. A DRS answers that call and gives a voice to everyone asking for change.
Brings England in Line with Neighbours
Scotland, Wales and many European countries already have or are working towards deposit return schemes. England risks falling behind without one. Adopting a DRS shows that England takes waste and the environment seriously.
It matches the ambition of neighbours and sends a clear message that litter and pollution will not be tolerated.
Supports a Greener Future
A simple deposit on drinks containers is a small step with big results. It fosters habits that support the environment and teach children not to waste. These lessons ripple out, helping everyone move towards a culture where waste is the exception, not the rule.
By acting now, England can lead with practical steps towards a cleaner, healthier and more responsible way of living.
