I applaud the change
I have just been made aware that from October 2027, a 20p surcharge will be implemented on the purchase of all single-use plastic bottles and metal cans. This decision has been made due to the proliferation of waste being accrued across the country.
In the early 1950s, I seem to remember a similar charge being made on glass bottles. This was due to the shortage of glass after the Second World War. I applaud the change as this will help ensure most people will return the items. It will be another way to recycle with a financial incentive. This happens in Canada where you have the vast majority that complies, but for those who do not, there are people who make a living out of foraging for these items.
My concern is the Prison Service; how are they going to deal with this legislation? Option A – Will prisoners return their empty articles on a weekly basis to receive their money back? Or option B – To accumulate £5 worth (25 articles) and then reimburse the prisoner. There are problems with both options A and B. If you had A, the amount of paperwork would be horrendous. If you had B, then where would the prisoner store 25 articles in their cell? I will be interested in the cost to the Prison Service to action this legislation, because no matter how it is handled, it will be inefficient.
Editorial note – The UK government has not released a separate, prison-specific public timeline for the forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme. We will have to wait to find out whether they go for one of the options Mr Roberts suggests, or something different.
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