Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the merits of a deposit return scheme for glass bottles.

Defra continues to work closely with the devolved administrations in delivering our shared ambitions to improve waste and recycling outcomes and promote resource efficiency in the UK.

Last autumn an independent working group set up under the Litter Strategy for England held a call for evidence on measures to reduce littering of drinks containers and promote recycling. The focus was rigid and flexible plastic, glass or metal drinks containers that are sold sealed and used for the sale of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, often for consumption ‘on the go’. This included seeking evidence on the costs, benefits and impacts of deposit return schemes. The working group has submitted its report to Ministers, who will make a decision on next steps shortly.