Bottle and can deposit return scheme could cost £1bn, say UK retailers

Major supermarkets express support for government’s plan but key issues, including who would pay for it, remain unclear
The UK retail industry has warned it could cost £1bn to implement the government’s plan to charge deposits on drinks cans and bottles.Britain’s biggest supermarkets signalled a willingness to work with the environment secretary, Michael Gove, on the scheme, which would result in consumers in England getting the deposit back if they returned the empty dri