AYR residents are fully behind a new scheme to encourage recycling and ditch over 200,000 plastic bottles in the environment.

But the initiative is years behind other countries who have proved its success already.

Figures published last week by environmental body Zero Waste Scotland revealed the scale of plastic bottle dumping in South Ayrshire – and how it will be reduced by Scotland’s forthcoming deposit return scheme.

Under the scheme, shoppers will pay a 20p deposit when buying drinks purchased in single-use plastic or glass bottles and aluminium or steel cans.

They then get their money back when they return their empty container for recycling.

That 20p will give people an extra incentive to recycle their empty bottles and cans, and make people think twice about dropping them.

However, when asked about the issue this week Ayr Advertiser readers just wished the scheme was in place sooner.

Kirsteen Wilson said: “Been doing this in Holland for years.

“Even 15 years ago when I lived there! Shame it’s took as long to come here.”

One resident, Jimmy Millar argued the case for less recycling bins from the council.

He said: “Will stop recycling and take them back to shop for refund of deposit. Will no longer need a blue bin.”

Many slammed South Ayrshire and Scotland for being years behind the rest of the world, with countries way ahead of the idea.

Stuart Ramsay said: “It’s worked in Europe and America for decades!

“Just the UK being slow and behind the times as per.”

Despite this initiative, it’s apparent that similar schemes have been in place before.

Ellen El recalled: “We used to take Curries and Barrs glass bottles back to shops when we were young and it got us some sweetie money.”

Michelle Nelson agreed: “Tesco used to do something similar, rewarding with Clubcard points for recycling tin cans, glass bottles even aerosol cans.”

Norway is one of the countries already leading the way, says Jacqueline Gardiner: “Went to Norway last year and if you bought a small plastic bottle, one Euro was add and if large bottle two was added and when you return them to the shop you got it back and they have been doing it for a while.

“If it works in other countries why not here, great idea.”