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Poll shows overwhelming support in England for Deposit Return Scheme

THE CEO of the UK's leading marine conservation charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), has urged Michael Gove to follow the example set by Scotland, in designing an ambitious all inclusive money back recycling system for bottles and cans. The Scottish Government have recently announced details of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) which will be introduced in Scotland very soon. Ministers at Holyrood confirmed that:- glass, cans and some plastic containers will be covered, but other plastics and materials such as tetrapaks and pouches are not to be included initially. The deposit will be set at 20p for all containers, and retailers of all sizes will be paid by the system to accept returns.

MCS CEO, Sandy Luk, said:- "We are very pleased with today's announcement that the system in Scotland will include glass, along with some plastics and aluminium. Scotland is now ahead of the game and our polling shows that people in England would support an all inclusive scheme, so Michael Gove must listen to what consumers want. The rest of the UK must follow the Scottish Government's lead to ensure we have the best systems in place across the UK. We need to have compatible schemes so that there is no confusion among consumers and so that we can increase recycling and help reduce the tide of glass and plastic bottles and cans blighting our shores and seas."

Her call comes as the Marine Conservation Society reveals details of a survey which shows overwhelming support in England for a Deposit Return Scheme.

It shows that 72% of people in England, questioned in a YouGov poll for MCS, think a Deposit Return Scheme should include all sizes of drinks container. The same poll shows 60% of adults in England think a Deposit Return Scheme should include plastic, glass bottles and aluminium cans.

Defra has a consultation running until 13 May 2019, asking the public, businesses and industry on the type of DRS they would like to see in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; including how it should be operated and the size and material of drinks bottles and cans to be included.

More than 15,000 people have responded through MCS's Bottles for Change campaign in calling for an all inclusive scheme; along with many UK businesses such as Silentnight, RapaNui and Ocean Outdoor.

Christina Wells from Heart of London Business Alliance, an organisation which serves as a voice for 500 central London businesses, said:- "The businesses we represent are keen to support environmentally friendly and sustainable practices, to reduce single use plastic and unnecessary waste and to prevent litter such as bottles and cans from entering our oceans. We support the Marine Conservation Society's drive to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the UK Government's consultation, and to highlight the need for the best possible Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) if introduced to the UK."

Around 21,000 items of drinks related litter including:- glass and plastic bottles, aluminium cans and bottle tops were found on UK beaches during the MCS 2018, Great British Beach Clean. Volunteers found an average of 16 littered drinks containers per 100 metres of UK beaches surveyed, with as many as 72 containers per 100 metres recorded on one beach alone.

The Marine Conservation Society is urging members of the public to take part in the UK Government's consultation before it closes on 13 May 2019, via a pre-filled form, on their website; it takes just 2 minutes.

Pull on your oven gloves and raise money for Marie Curie

MARIE Curie and Mel Giedroyc are calling on the people of Southport to throw a Blooming Great Tea Party, in June 2019. When you do, you'll be helping provide vital care and support for people living with a terminal illness and their families.

Throwing a tea party is easy, once you've set a date and invited your guests all you need to do is collect donations on the day. Your local Marie Curie 'tea party expert' will send you a pack with tips, tricks and fundraising materials to make sure your tea party is a blooming great success. Whether you're a whizz with the whisk or prefer to fake it and buy something in, every pound you raise will make a big difference.

The money you raise in Southport will ensure Marie Curie's support line is there for anyone affected by a terminal illness. The charity has recently added clinical support to the service, which means people from anywhere in the country can speak to a Marie Curie Nurse, whether they have a terminal illness or are concerned for a loved one who does. The money you raise at your Blooming Great Tea Party will also help fund the vital research Marie Curie does and help provide hands on nursing care to more people at the end of their lives.

Mel Giedroyc, who is fronting this year's campaign, said:- "Marie Curie's wonderful nurses and support line heroes need you to bake up a storm this June and raise a few quid at a Blooming Great Tea Party. I know that people love a good natter over a cup of tea, who doesn't? That's why I'm supporting Marie Curie's campaign. It's a simple way to get together with your chums and raise money for people with a terminal illness. It's a vital cause, so whether you invite the Town over for a croquembouche or catch up with pals over a pack of party rings, Marie Curie needs you to raise a cuppa and some money in June 2019. If you'd rather fake it than bake it, here's my tip. Get yourself a shop bought Victoria sponge, shake it around the shopping bag to 'distress' the edges, sprinkle it with icing sugar, dot some fresh strawberries on top and pass it off as your own. There you go chums, mum's the word. Keep that one to yourself!"

Tina Gill, Community Fundraiser for Southport at Marie Curie said:- "Throwing a Blooming Great Tea Party is a piece of cake and tonnes of fun. Whether you're Team Baker and dazzling guests with your own homemade creation or part of Team Faker and buying in your favourite treats, the money you raise will help us reach more of the people in Southport who need us. And when you sign up, I'll be on hand to help with all the brewing advice, icing tips and fundraising know how you need."

To receive your fundraising pack, sign up today at:- MarieCurie.Org.UK, or call them on:- 0800 716 146 and pledge your allegiance via Tweeting it to:- #TeamBaker or #TeamFaker.