A UK-wide summit to discuss plans to make people pay a deposit when they buy drinks bottles and cans is needed, a SNP minister has said.
Last week the UK Government confirmed it was looking at plans for England where a deposit would be charged on single-use glass and plastic bottles, as well as aluminium cans.
The deposit will increase prices – but consumers will get the money back if they return the container.
However, the Scottish Government announced plans to introduce a similar scheme six months ago.
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has now written to her counterparts in all of the central and devolved governments to kick-start a coordinated approach.
She said: “While Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have devolved responsibility for the environment, there are likely to be areas where working together offers the opportunity to deliver greater benefits across the UK.
“Our work over the last six months to develop design options has built on the expertise and experience built over some time in Scotland .
“The time is now right for environment ministers, and senior officials in Northern Ireland, to come together to realise those opportunities.”
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