Your local MP has met with representatives of the soft drinks industry to hear their views on delivering a successful deposit return scheme.
Theresa Villiers championed this scheme when she was as Environment Secretary and brought forward the legislation needed to make it happen. Now the details of the scheme are being worked out, Theresa held meetings with Coca Cola and with the British Soft Drinks Federation to understand what is needed to get the scheme up and running successfully.
Speaking after these two meetings, Theresa said, “A deposit return scheme could massively increase the number of drinks containers which are recycled. That is illustrated by the experience of these schemes in other countries.”
“But to deliver this successful outcome, we need to design the scheme effectively. Having heard from Coca Cola and the British Soft Drinks Federation, I am convinced that we need coordination between different parts of the UK. Having very different approaches in Wales, Scotland and England could undermine the success of this important project. I hope that we can achieve a coordinated approach.”
“We also need to get VAT right and it is worrying that HMRC are saying that VAT must be levied on the scheme. That could take significant founds our of the project and jeopardise its success.”
“I will be working with colleagues in Government to try to resolve these issues because there is lots of support in my constituency for a deposit return scheme. We have been waiting for it now for a long time and I want progress made.”
“As well as driving up recycling rates, I hope that this DRS scheme will mean fewer drinks containers littering our streets.”
Theresa Villiers is a strong campaigner against litter and regularly takes part in volunteer litter-picks, most recently on 5th February.
