A return scheme for plastic bottles could soon allow British consumers to enjoy a drink of juice or water without adding to a sea of pollution – as well as getting some of their money back (For Malaysians, this is similar to the five sen deposit for glass bottles of soft drinks back in the 1960s and 70s).

The idea of a deposit return scheme (DRS) for bottles has won the backing of two supermarkets, Iceland and the Co-op, the first major retailers to support the policy to promote recycling and tackle ocean plastic pollution.