(Alliance News) - Sustainable waste management company Biffa PLC on Tuesday said it has secured a 10-year contract to be the logistics partner for the UK's first deposit return scheme in Scotland.
Biffa said that Scotland is the first UK nation to implement a deposit return scheme, with others expected to announce plans in due course. From August 2023, a refundable 20 pence deposit will apply to all single-use PET drinks containers ranging in size from 50ml cans up to three-litre containers. The bottles and cans can then be returned to any shop or hospitality venue that operates a return point.
As part of the scheme, Biffa has been contracted by Circularity Scotland Ltd to provide logistics, sorting and counting services. The company's responsibilities include the collection of bottles and cans from around 30,000 locations across Scotland and the building and operation of three counting centres.
The deposit return scheme aims to ensure that at least 90% of recyclable drinks containers are collected and converted into recycled pellets. It is also expected to create around 500 jobs in Scotland.
"The plastic bottles collected will be converted by Biffa into recycled pellets to be supplied back into the UK beverage supply chain, thereby delivering a closed loop recycling system," Biffa said.
The company also plans to spend around GBP80 million in capital commitment, including property lease commitments.
Circularity Scotland is also working with Biffa to explore the opportunity of building a PET recycling plant in Scotland to support the scheme and deliver further employment opportunities.
Chief Executive Officer Michael Topham said: "This appointment is testament to the strength of Biffa's reputation as a sustainable waste management provider to complex markets, our extensive capabilities and world leading recycling infrastructure."
Shares in Biffa were up 0.1% at 365.00 pence each in London on Tuesday morning.
By Sophie Rose; sophierose@alliancenews.com
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