Michael Gove calls for views on setting up plastic bottle deposit return scheme

Environment secretary says working group will look at how a deposit return scheme could help reduce plastic waste in England

A deposit return scheme aimed at slashing plastic pollution has moved significantly closer after environment secretary Michael Gove said he would work with the industry to see how a scheme can be implemented in England.

Gove, speaking at the Conservative party conference in Manchester, announced a four-week call for views to inform how a deposit return scheme (DRS) would be designed. The government's working group on the issue will also consider DRS for metal and glass containers.