New Recycling Scheme in West Suffolk: Circularity with Reverse Vending Machines
- Anna Wood
- Jun 17
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 19
We’ve just heard about a new recycling scheme, very similar to a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), operating in three Suffolk towns. This scheme has collected 13,407 plastic bottles and 2,575 aluminium cans in the last 12 months.
Reverse Vending Machines
The Council agreed to install “reverse vending machines” in Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket and Haverhill to collect used plastic bottles and cans. It is the brainchild of their councillor Janne Jarvis, who is familiar with the successful DRS schemes used in Scandinavia. Scandinavia does DRS far better than we do in the UK – for example Norway achieves a return rate of 92.3% for drinks containers.
Objectives
The scheme in West Suffolk had three objectives: to increase recycling rates, to reduce the Council’s carbon footprint and to change public behaviour to engage more in environmental initiatives.
It is supported by two suppliers: Polytag, which monitors the number of items collected, and Trovr which provides the smartphone app that rewards consumers for recycling their containers with points they can spend in certain shops.
Reducing litter
The UK government plans to introduce DRS in 2027, which would potentially reduce the litter discarded into the environment, and make a huge difference to plastic pollution.
This model could work anywhere. We hope to see more towns and businesses getting involved in DRS even sooner. It is a simple way to encourage people to dispose of their cans and bottles in a more thoughtful and environmentally friendly way, and reduce plastic pollution.
The scheme in Suffolk proves that DRS can work well. It is interesting because it was largely driven by one individual, Janne Jarvis, who campaigned hard to win the support of the suppliers and the Council. If one person can achieve this through his hard work, just think what we could achieve if more of us push for similar schemes in our own towns.
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For more information contact: info@scarabtrust.org.uk
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