LIDL has launched a pilot bottle return scheme in all of its stores across Scotland’s largest city.

The major supermarket chain will roll out the initiative across 21 stores in Glasgow where shoppers can enjoy unlimited cash rewards in return for empty PET plastic and aluminium drinks containers via in-store reverse vending machines.

PET - polyethylene terephthalate - is a type of clear, strong and lightweight plastic which is 100% recyclable and you can usually find a symbol on plastic containers if it is this type.

Shoppers will receive a 5p reward for each eligible item that they return to a store which can either be redeemed against their shopping or donated to Lidl’s charity partner, The STV Children’s appeal.

There is no cap on the number of items that can be returned and the machines will accept qualifying bottles and cans purchased from any retailer, as long as they are clean and uncrushed.

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The move comes after Scottish Government was forced to delay the introduction of its deposit return scheme until late 2025, with ministers accusing the UK Government of deliberately sabotaging the plans.

Lorna Slater, who was in charge of implementing the scheme, said a decision by the UK Government to bar the Scottish Government from including glass in its scheme meant it was no longer feasible in its current form.

The inclusion of glass in the scheme had been approved by every party in the Scottish Parliament, including the Conservatives.

Unlike the Scottish Government’s plans, Lidl’s bottle return scheme does not place a deposit on the retail price of the original product. 

Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB, said: “We’re on a mission to eliminate all unnecessary waste, and with over 95% of our own-brand packaging now recyclable, reusable, or refillable we’ve been making great progress.  

“We know that Lidl shoppers share this passion, and we hope that utilising this infrastructure, which might otherwise have been left dormant, will help to make recycling their cans and bottles even more convenient for them.

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“With our extra incentive thrown in, and no cap on the number of items that can be recycled, it’s a win-win for all.”

It’s anticipated that the pilot will result in a minimum 10.5 tonnes of plastic and aluminium material being recycled each month.

The material will be retained and used to create new plastic and aluminium products.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell addded: "This is a really welcome move from Lidl and will reduce the amount of glass and plastic on our streets. I hope that other major retailers take note and consider following this precedent and launching their own schemes. 

"It is almost nine months since Westminster torpedoed Scotland's national scheme, and since then we've heard nothing from them about the plans that they promised were on the verge of delivery.

"It was a cynical attack on devolution and our environment, and was also a huge missed opportunity.

"Despite Tory roadblocks and obstruction, it is clear that there are people and businesses all over our country who want to make a difference. It's time for Westminster to listen."

The machines at Lidl will accept single-use drinks packaging made from PET or aluminium that are 100ml to 3l in size and have a readable barcode to scan at the point of donation.

Dairy items, such as HDPE [High Density Poly Ethylene] plastic milk or yoghurt drinks, Tetra-pack, paper-based cartons, glass or pouches are not eligible for return.