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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government plans intends to implement a plastic bottle deposit scheme in the UK similar to that in operation in Norway.

As part of the Litter Strategy for England, the Government has established the independent Voluntary and Economic Incentives working group.

From 2 October 2017 to 20 November 2017 this working group held a call for evidence on measures to reduce littering of drinks containers and promote recycling. The focus was rigid and flexible plastic, and 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 and reward and return schemes.

The working group is currently analysing responses to this call for evidence and is due to provide advice to Ministers on potential incentives for drinks containers early this year.