Surfers Against Sewage launches new campaign for ethical disposal of plastic bottles

Surfers Against Sewage's 'Message in a Bottle' campaign calls for the introduction of a deposit return system (DRS) in the UK to ensure that more plastic bottles are kept within the recycling economy rather than being dumped on beaches and in the oceans.

The DRS would add a small deposit of 10p to 20p on every purchase of a plastic drinks container.

This money could be reclaimed at deposit return points in the UK when the empty bottles are handed in for recycling.

There are 11 countries in Europe that have successfully deployed a DRS in recent years to minimise the impact of human consumption on the environment.

As part of the 'Message in a Bottle' campaign, a petition will be presented to the government in 2017, calling for the introduction of a DRS in the country.

There will then be a letter writing campaign to target decision makers and social media action to remind brands of their duty to look after the environment.

Hugo Tagholm, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage, said: "In countries where deposit return systems are already in place, up to 98 per cent of plastic bottles are recovered for recycling, compared to around 56 per cent here in the UK.

"The relatively small deposit on bottles acts as an effective economic incentive, and won’t cost the customer anything when they return the container correctly.

"A deposit return system for the UK is the logical, effective and powerful next step in turning the tide on the marine litter crisis.

"With 38.5 million plastic bottles and 59 million cans being consumed every day in the UK, the need and urgency for more radical recycling and reuse action is growing by the day."

Campaign group Litter Free Coast and Sea tackles the issue in Dorset, running successful events such as the Great Dorset Beach Clean in order to spruce up the Jurassic Coast.

For more information on Surfers Against Sewage and their campaigning in the UK, visit sas.org.uk