The majority Britons want the government to press ahead with a scheme that would see a deposit added to the price of drinks containers to boost recycling rates, a new poll has revealed.
Some 73 per cent of people said they would support a small charge being added to single-use containers, which they would then get back when they returned the aluminium cans, glass or plastic bottles.
It comes as campaigners said they fear key environmental pledges could be delayed by the new Labour government as it prioritises fixing public finances.
Deposit return schemes (DRS) in all four UK nations have been subjected to delays, as well as wrangling over whether all materials should be included.
The new government has been cagey on whether it plans to bring forward the launch date for the UK’s deposit return scheme.
Earlier this year circular economy minister Mary Creagh replied “yes” when asked if there were plans to introduce a DRS before the previous government’s delayed October 2027 deadline.
However the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) later confirmed that Labour was determined to press ahead with the scheme but would not seek to bring forward the schedule previously set out.
Allison Ogden-Newton, CEO of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “We have long campaigned for a deposit return scheme including all materials.
“We have heard countless stories of people and pets being endangered by littered glass, as well as our volunteers who struggle with removing broken glass from the environment as it cuts through plastic waste bags.”
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Some 65 percent of those polled also said Whitehall should follow the example of the Welsh Government by setting binding recycling targets for councils.
More than eight in 10 of those who expressed an opinion in the poll said Labour should be bold in pushing through key environmental policies.
The survey of 2,000 UK adults between August 30 and September 1 was commissioned by aluminium recycling organisation Alupro.
Tom Giddings, Alupro executive director, said: “The Great British public could not be clearer. They want Labour to get on and deliver for the environment.
“They do not want landmark environmental policy such as deposit return schemes to be delayed beyond 2027. Britons have waited long enough for Whitehall to do right by the environment.
“I look forward to discussing in Liverpool how Labour can deliver a real circular economy for this and future generations.”
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