Zero Waste Scotland has been encouraged by the response to its plastic deposit return scheme survey at Deep Sea World.
Fifers and visitors were keen to have their say.
Dozens of people shared their thoughts on how such a scheme could work best for them – making their views count on the level of deposit, which products should be included, where they should be able to take their empty drinks containers to get the deposit back, and whether they’d like the option to donate the deposit instead.
Under a deposit return scheme, customers pay a small deposit when they buy drinks in bottles or cans, and then get the deposit back when they return the empty container for recycling.
A public consultation was officially opened by the Scottish Government last month.
Zero Waste Scotland recycling campaigns manager Andrew Pankhurst said: “We were really encouraged by the response from members of the public and staff at Deep Sea World.
“Now that a public consultation on a Scottish deposit return scheme is live we want as many people as possible have their say.
“By doing so, you’ll be helping to shape the best possible scheme for Scotland.
“We’ve all seen the footage from Blue Planet 2 of the tragic effects that items we commonly use can have on wildlife when they end up in our oceans and landscape.
“That’s why Deep Sea World was an ideal location to get people engaged on a Scottish deposit return scheme – which represents a huge opportunity to improve recycling, reduce litter and create economic opportunities for Scotland at the same time.”
The North Queensferry aquarium was the second in a series of public events that Zero Waste Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government, will be at over the summer.
Across Courier Country the team will be at Dundee Food and Flower Show on August 31 and Perth Food and Drink Festival from September 14 to 16.
Deep Sea World’s Fraser Edwards added: “We’re very much looking forward to hearing the results from the research, and to find out the opinions of our visitors.
“As a business we would be happy to support a Scottish deposit return scheme in the future, and will be encouraging others – businesses and individuals alike – to share their thoughts on how it should work by responding to the public consultation.
“At Deep Sea World we will continue to make changes to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic in our shop, café, and throughout the aquarium, and continue to educate our visitors on the importance of taking similar steps at home.”
