Ran into Mayor Boris Johnson today at Bank Street. Asked him about a deposit “scheme” for cans to drive up recycling. He said “good idea” before riding off, but probably says that to all the busybodies that accost him.

Truth is, the UK once had a deposit schemes on its drinks, but the arrival of plastic changed all that. In 2010, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, floated a proposal that would have placed a 15p deposit on drinks up to 500ml, according to the Guardian.

Not sure what the current status is, but in summer 2011, the CPRE said that a deposit program would create 4,000 jobs.