MSP finds no take-up of deposit return scheme

The deposit return programme will go live across Scotland next year and is due to have return points in shops that sell drinks as well as voluntary points in public places.

Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East Mr Golden wrote to the Scottish Government over how many applications it has had to set these up.

Lorna Slater, co-leader of the Scottish Greens and the minister for the circular economy, admitted that there have been none.

Mr Golden said: "This embarrassing return for the Scottish Government shows just how much work it still has to do. We need these up and running in Angus and Dundee.

"This is meant to be a flagship scheme which doesn't just help the environment, but motivates and incentivises businesses too.

"Instead it has turned them off. If the SNP-Green government doesn't get its act together, this initiative will have failed before it is even off the ground.

"The theory behind the deposit return scheme is correct and, so long as it is done in partnership with people and businesses, it could be an all-round success. But in the nationalists' hands, it risks being a costly disaster."

Under the proposed arrangements, stores will be paid 3.55p for each of the first 8000 containers they take back, and 1.35p per container after that.

Zero Waste Scotland, an arm's length management organisation, predicted that 500 voluntary return points would also need set up.