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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of implementing a deposit return scheme for aluminium cans.

From 2 October to 20 November 2017, 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. This included metal drinks containers that are sold sealed and used for the sale of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, often for consumption ‘on the go’. It involved seeking evidence on the costs, benefits and impacts of deposit and reward and return schemes. Early this year, Ministers received and reviewed the working group’s report summarising its call for evidence and recommendations. This can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/drinks-containers-reducing-litter-and-increasing-recycling-call-for-evidence.

The Government has confirmed that it will introduce a deposit return scheme in England, subject to a consultation later this year. The consultation will look at the details of how such a scheme would work, alongside other measures to increase recycling rates.