The Bill, introduced by Shipley Labour MP Christopher Leslie, aims to end the "environmental hazard" of empties littering the streets and reduce the need for more landfill sites.

Mr Leslie told fellow-MPs: "Every year five billion drinks cans are thrown away. If these drinks cans were laid end to end and measured they would encircle the earth 15 times."

His Bill aims to put a 5p deposit or redemption value on all glass, metal and plastic drinks containers, excluding milk bottles.

Reducing landfill

Drinks containers take up between 8-10% of landfill waste. Mr Leslie said: "Recycling helps to lessen the demand for landfill."

He estimated that £50m of taxpayers' money could be saved each year with the implementation of his Bill by reducing the need for landfill.

"My local authority, Bradford Metropolitan District Council, tell me they estimate they could save £500,000 in waste disposal and handling costs if the Bill became law.

"It reduces litter. The litter of discarded bottles and cans is a safety hazard, a public nuisance and an aesthetic blight. The consequences of the throwaway culture are significant."

Mr Leslie wound up his speech for the Bill by saying it would give charities and voluntary groups a ready source of income if they were to empty bottles and cans.

Pubs, clubs and restaurants, which throw away 95% of their glass bottles, would have a monetary incentive to recycle rather than contribute to more landfill