The Scottish Government is seeking views from public on deposit return scheme for drinks containers, which is designed to reduce plastic pollution.
Under the scheme, people will pay a small deposit when they buy a drink in a single-use container and get that money back when it is returned empty.
The government is seeking views on questions, including the deposit amount, where people could return items and what sort of materials and products should be included in the scheme.
Each year, approximately 2.5 billion single-use drinks containers are sold in Scotland. Some countries implementing deposit return schemes are achieving up to 95% recycling rates for drinks containers compared against 50% in Scotland.
Scotland environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Publishing these options for a deposit return scheme is a significant step forward in our work to tackle plastic pollution and is another demonstration of our leadership on developing a circular economy.
“The consultation sets out that deposit return is not only an effective way of increasing recycling rates and preventing drinks containers from ending up as litter, but it is also an economic opportunity.
The Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland worked with stakeholders for the framing of better options for the return scheme.
The consultation offered four example designs to help people understand how a system would work.
With economic and societal benefits between £352m and £990m over 25 years, the designs are expected to help recycle between 1.5 billion and 2.5 billion containers
Zero Waste Scotland chief executive Iain Gulland said: “Scotland’s planned deposit return scheme is a landmark in the nation’s circular economy journey, with the potential to drive inward investment and create jobs in Scotland at the same time as improving recycling and reducing litter.
“Zero Waste Scotland has consulted with hundreds of organisations on deposit return to date – from retailers and manufacturers to councils and community groups – and we are delighted to see options progress to public consultation stage.”