A supermarket giant has announced a major change affecting 21 stores in and around Glasgow. 

Lidl is the first brand to launch a bottle return initiative within its stores.

As part of it, shoppers will receive a 5p reward for each eligible item that they return.

The reward can then be redeemed against their shopping or donated to Lidl's long-standing charity partner, The STV Children's appeal.

There is no cap on the number of items that can be returned, and the discounter will accept qualifying bottles and cans purchased from any retailer, as long as they are clean and uncrushed.

The launch of the supermarket pilot comes after the Scottish Government delayed the introduction of its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

Unlike DRS, the store's bottle return scheme does not place a deposit on the retail price of the original product.

The retailer anticipates that the pilot will result in a minimum of 10.5 tonnes of plastic and aluminium material being recycled each month.

Here are all the stores taking part in the scheme in Glasgow: 

  • Maryhill
  • Duke Street
  • St. Rollox
  • Baillieston
  • Crookston
  • Darnley
  • Tollcross
  • Govan
  • Bearsden
  • Pollokshaws
  • Balmore Road
  • Jamaica Street
  • Victoria Road
  • Rutherglen
  • Partick
  • Yoker
  • Giffnock
  • Finnieston
  • Barrhead
  • Robroyston Retail Park
  • Anniesland

Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB said: “We’re on a mission to eliminate all unnecessary waste, and with over 95% of our own-brand packaging now recyclable, reusable, or refillable we’ve been making great progress.

"We know that Lidl shoppers share this passion, and we hope that utilising this infrastructure, which might otherwise have been left dormant, will help to make recycling their cans and bottles even more convenient for them.

"With our extra incentive thrown in, and no cap on the number of items that can be recycled, it’s a win-win for all.”