Co-op to trial deposit return scheme for plastic bottles at UK music festivals

Reverse vending machines will be installed at its pop-up stores at Download, Latitude and Reading and Leeds festivals

The Co-op has announced plans to trial a deposit return scheme (DSR) that uses reverse vending machines at UK music festivals this summer.

They will be installed at its pop-up stores at Download, Latitude and Reading and Leeds festivals to help people recycle their plastic bottles.

Plastic bottles sold at its pop-up stores will have a mandatory deposit added to the price, with people able to return them to the reverse vending machines in exchange for a voucher to spend in the stores on site.

The bottles collected at each festival will be recycled to create Co-op’s own brand bottled water.

It claims to be the first retailer in the UK to launch such a trial, following the UK Government’s green light a few months ago.

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