A NEW recycling initiative has been launched on Orkney in a “key milestone” ahead of Scotland's upcoming national deposit scheme.
The launch of the Return & Recycle Orkney scheme will see islanders place their drinks containers in two reverse vending machines, with a 5p donation to charity made for every bottle or can returned.
Delivered by Zero Waste Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government, Return & Recycle Orkney will run until Scotland’s nationwide deposit return project goes live in August of next year – becoming the first UK nation to introduce such a scheme.
READ MORE: Our year-long subscription – at a price you can afford – is ALMOST over
The national scheme will see customers pay a deposit of 20p when they buy a drink in a single-use container and then get the deposit back when they return the empty bottle or can.
Despite consumers not having to pay a deposit on drinks containers under Return & Recycle Orkney, it is hoped the initiative will provide valuable insights into how Scotland’s deposit return scheme is rolled out to rural and island communities.
It will also give islanders the chance to try out using the machines that will be used in the deposit return scheme in advance of the 2023 launch.
Circular economy minister Lorna Slater said: “This is a fantastic project that will make it easy for people in Orkney to recycle their empty drinks bottles and cans. Better recycling facilities will help keep litter off our streets and green spaces, while reducing the needless waste and emissions that are driving the climate crisis.
“I look forward to seeing these benefits experienced in communities all across the country next year when Scotland’s deposit return scheme goes live.”
Jill Farrell, director of evidence and insights at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Return & Recycle Orkney is a great opportunity for islanders to do their bit for their environment and raise funds for local causes at the same time.
“Initiatives like this have real potential to transform our behaviour towards single-use materials, which is a must if we’re serious about tackling the climate emergency.
“It is fantastic to see Return & Recycle Orkney go live. It is a significant milestone and I look forward to the valuable insights it will provide.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here