As many as 378,000 plastic bottles could be kept out of the environment in West Lothian thanks to a scheme that will encourage people to recycle more and litter less.
Figures from Zero Waste Scotland reveal the scale of plastic bottle dumping in West Lothian – and how it will be reduced by Scotland’s forthcoming deposit return scheme.
Under the scheme, shoppers will pay a 20p deposit when buying drinks purchased in single-use plastic or glass bottles and aluminium or steel cans. They will get their money back when they return their empty container for recycling.
The new figures show that people in West Lothian go through 23.3 million plastic bottles every year and an estimated 420,000 plastic bottles are littered in West Lothian each year.
Zero Waste Scotland anticipates a 90 per cent reduction in litter for the materials included in the scheme. This would mean 378,000 fewer plastic bottles dropped in West Lothian each year.
Jill Farrell, chief operating Officer, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Our new figures reveal how Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme could visibly slash the number of littered plastic bottles in West Lothian.
“Litter isn’t just an eyesore – it also pollutes our environment and seas. When you take back your empty bottles to be recycled, you’ll not just be getting your 20p back – you’ll be doing your bit in the fight against the climate emergency.”
