Glass bottles should be included in the upcoming deposit return scheme (DRS), a watersports body has said. But is this a wise move?
Paddle UK, the national governing body for watersports, believes that including glass would "keep things simple" for consumers and help reduce the amount of glass litter. Chantelle Grundy, Paddle UK's access and environment manager, argues that glass is a valuable resource that can be recycled over and over again, contributing to the sustainability agenda. She points out the negative impact of glass bottles on local wildlife, with the organization pulling loads of glass bottles from waterways.
However, the government disagrees, citing upfront costs and challenges in the scheme's delivery. A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) emphasizes the efficiency of the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging scheme, which already recycles glass containers, reducing waste in landfills and generating over £1 billion annually.
Grundy supports the DRS in general, believing it will help reduce littering. She highlights the presence of single-use plastic bottles as a significant contributor to water pollution, a problem that the DRS aims to address. Marathon kayak athlete Freya Peters echoes this sentiment, expressing concern over plastic waste entanglement and the impact on wildlife.
Deposit return schemes exist in countries like Germany, Sweden, and the Republic of Ireland. These schemes require shops to host return points for drinks containers, with exemptions for small retailers in urban areas. The return process can be manual or automated, and there's no need to show a receipt.
James Naish, Rushcliffe MP, believes people will embrace the DRS, drawing on the success of similar schemes in Ireland. He suggests that including glass "at some point" is a possibility, acknowledging the cost challenges and the importance of the glass production industry in certain regions.
The debate over including glass in the DRS is complex. While Paddle UK emphasizes the environmental benefits and simplicity for consumers, the government highlights existing recycling systems and cost concerns. The success of the DRS in reducing littering and promoting sustainability hinges on finding a balance between these perspectives.
