Iceland and Co-op have become the first two supermarkets to support a UK-wide bottle deposit return scheme (DRS) to tackle plastic pollution.

The retailers said they would back a mandatory DRS following the Environment Secretary Michael Gove’s consultation on the possibility of introducing it to boost recycling rates.

A DSR would mean consumers get part of the money back when they bring back their empty plastic bottles.

The Greenpeace survey found all other national supermarkets “were either non-committal or expressed reservations” in their response.

Richard Walker, Director for Sustainability at Iceland Foods said: “Every minute, a truckload of plastic waste enters our oceans. In Britain, we are failing to recycle up to 16 million single use plastic bottles every day.

“Deposit Return Schemes work. In Norway, theirs had led to 96% of all bottles being returned, with similar results in other countries that adopted a DRS. Britain urgently needs to do the same.”

Jo Whitfield, Retail Chief Executive at Co-op added: “We are committed to ensuring all of our own packaging will be recyclable and we are firm supporters of initiatives designed to boost recycling levels.

“The Co-op is in favour of creating a deposit return scheme which increases the overall recycling of packaging and significantly reduces litter and importantly, helps tackle marine pollution.”

Last month Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the government is considering introducing a tax on single-use plastic items, including polystyrene takeaway boxes and bubble wrap.