MSPs have said Scotland’s deposit return scheme should have the scope to bring in a “variable rate” on charges to be levied on drinks cans and containers.
Members of Holyrood’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee committee said they were “content” with the proposed 20p deposit.
However, they suggested the scheme’s administrator should have the scope to vary this, with larger bottles potentially incurring a higher charge.
They made the call after hearing how the fixed-rate 20p deposit – which shoppers will get back when they return their empty containers – could have unintended consequences such as prompting people to buy larger sizes of some drinks.
MSPs also want to know if the Scottish Government can compel online retailers based outside of Scotland to participate in the initiative.
They suggested the inclusion of online sales could be “critical to the effective implementation of the scheme and to meeting the recycling targets”.
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