The scheme aims to reduce plastic pollution on beaches and in the oceans

Shoppers will be charged up to 20p extra for drinks cans and bottles under plans for a refundable deposit scheme to tackle litter and boost recycling.

Michael Gove, the environment secretary, will announce today that the proposed scheme will apply to all drinks containers, whether plastic, glass or metal. His plans are more radical than expected.

Retailers could be compelled to install thousands of reverse vending machines, which return the deposit in cash or as a voucher when an empty container is inserted. The scheme, which Mr Gove hopes to introduce next year, is expected to cost retailers and the drinks industry hundreds of millions of pounds to introduce.

Scotland has already announced a deposit scheme for drinks containers and the environment secretary will