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

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have undertaken an impact assessment of a refundable deposit scheme for glass bottles, plastic bottles and metal cans; if so, what was the outcome; and at what levels refundable deposits would need to be set to make such a scheme cost-effective.

The UK has made progress on our packaging recycling rates, including for drinks containers. Current policies and regulations have seen the recycling rate for packaging waste rise to 60% in 2015, from around 46% in 2005.

This Government has not yet undertaken a formal Impact Assessment of a deposit return scheme. However, Defra analysed the costs and benefits of implementing a deposit return system for single use drink containers as part of the 2011 Review of Waste Policy in England, and to seek views in the 2012 consultation on higher packaging recycling targets.

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. 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 and reward and return schemes.

The working group is due to provide advice to Ministers on potential incentives for drinks containers in the next couple of months. Any decisions on appropriate measures to take forward will then be made, supported by the development of an impact assessment as necessary.