News
Overwhelming Scottish support for glass bottle returns
Polling for Marine Conservation Society shows glass even more in demand than plastic for Deposit Return Scheme
Four out of five people in Scotland think that glass should be included in a national money-back recycling system.
Ministers at Holyrood are expected to make a decision imminently on a Deposit Return Scheme, which campaigners hope will set a high standard for the rest of the UK to follow.
Sections of UK industry have been lobbying for a limited scheme which would not include all materials and container sizes, with some resisting the inclusion of glass bottles.
But research carried out by YouGov for the Marine Conservation Society shows that there’s even more support in Scotland for glass containers to be included in the scheme (85%), than plastic bottles (83%).
MCS Head of Conservation Scotland, Calum Duncan, said: “It’s clear that people in Scotland back the idea of a money-back recycling system and we want the Scottish Government to lead the UK in designing one that is world-class.
“What is also evident from our polling is that most voters want glass, plastic, aluminium cans and other drinks cartons to be included, with glass at the very top of their list. Ministers must listen to consumers instead of those in industry with vested interests.”
While the Scottish Government has already held a public consultation and is expected to announce the design of its scheme shortly, there’s a separate consultation, which ends on May 13th, being run by Defra which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The survey showed that there’s overwhelming support for a system in Scotland that includes a wide range of drink container types. When asked what they thought should be included, 85% in Scotland said glass bottles, with 83% backing plastic bottles, followed by aluminium cans (74%), and drinks cartons made of more than one material type (61%).
After plastic pieces, glass (an average of 78 items per 100m) was number 2 on the list of most picked up items of litter found by volunteers on the MCS-organised Great British Beach Clean in Scotland last year.
Jenni Hume, Campaign Manager of Have You Got The Bottle? said: “It’s no surprise that people across Scotland are so determined to see glass bottles included in our deposit return system. Broken glass on our streets is a particular risk for young people and for pets and wild animals, and the “glass cheque” is the best way to keep that litter to a minimum.
“Deposit return is also about making producers responsible for the materials they use. If glass – the most carbon-intensive material there is – is exempted, there would be a perverse incentive for businesses to switch to glass. Ministers must choose: will they back public demands for glass to be included, and will they support jobs in Scotland’s glass recycling sector?”
The Marine Conservation Society has led calls for compatible Deposit Return Schemes to be introduced across the UK. Last week, MCS launched its Bottles for Change campaign by calling on retailers to support a comprehensive “all-in” scheme and urging Defra to resist industry lobbying.
MCS is urging people to take part by visiting www.bottlesforchange.uk and responding to Defra’s consultation before May 13th. Supporters in Scotland can write to their MSPs at: www.act.foe.scot/deposit-return-system
Blogs
Discover Curaçao with the Ultimate Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition
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News
Santa Divers take the Plunge for Charity
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
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