A pilot scheme of 'reverse' vending machines is to be introduced in nine Tesco stores early next year, offering customers rewards for bringing bottles and cans in to be recycled.

If the scheme proves a success then it will be introduced to more stores. The Scottish Government has welcomed the move as an important step towards its aim of a 'zero waste' nation.

"Reverse vending has terrific potential to improve our rates of recycling and evidence from Scandinavia and Canada shows that it has reaped real rewards," Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said.

The news comes after official statistics revealed a 3.3 per cent increase in recycling rates over the past year.

"In addition, the latest figures also indicate that waste growth has stopped, in line with our target, and I also understand we are fast approaching the sale of the 200,000th composting bin in Scotland," Lochead added.

"These latest moves reflect well on both local authorities and individuals, but there is no room for complacency and we need to push on even further.

"We all have a role to play in ensuring Scotland becomes a cleaner, greener place and dealing with our waste responsibly is a huge part of that."

David North, community and government director for Tesco, added: "As a responsible retailer, we are committed to helping our customers adopt green habits. They've asked us to make recycling easier so this is what our new automated machines are designed to do."

The measure comes after a Scottish Government consultation on reducing waste and improving recycling. The new statistics put recycling in Scotland at just under 32 per cent.