Second Reverse Vending Machine Introduced
A litter picking organisation, the Northants Litter Wombles, has unveiled a second reverse vending machine in the county designed to reward individuals who recycle cans and bottles.
The new machine was launched at Weston Favell Shopping Centre in Northampton, in partnership with the machine installer Trovr.
The first machine was installed at the University of Northampton in February 2025 and has processed over 1,000 bottles and cans since December.
Significance of Bottles and Cans in Litter
Mark Watson, a committee member of the Northants Litter Wombles, highlighted the importance of this initiative, noting that bottles and cans constitute a large portion of the rubbish collected by the volunteer group.
"It's a great thing going forward for the environment and will be influential in helping take a lot of litter off the streets," he said.
Trial for National Deposit Return Scheme
Trovr is providing the machine on a long-term loan basis as part of a trial ahead of the UK's mandatory national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which is scheduled to begin in October 2027.
"It's only two machines, but the message it sends shows people this [DRS] is coming and a lot of litter that's on the streets ends up in drains and in rivers and out in the sea, so it's going to stop all of that," Watson added.
"People are going to be able to get money back as well, so it's just a complete win-win really."
The nationwide DRS initiative will place a redeemable deposit on drink containers, which can be reclaimed when the containers are returned to collection points.
However, the machine at Weston Favell operates slightly differently: users exchange bottles and cans for a printed ticket that can be redeemed for rewards at participating retailers within the shopping centre.
Currently, four independent stores are participating, with an additional eleven expected to join in the coming weeks.
Proven Technology and Local Support
Nigel Stansfield, cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste at West Northamptonshire Council, which is led by Reform UK, attended the launch. He emphasized the value of seeing the machine in operation as preparation for the national DRS rollout.
"To come along and see the actual machine in use is really useful; we want proven technology [for the national rollout] and by having it here, it's proven technology," he said.
"Hopefully by next year, when they're out on the streets, they'll be very reliable and easy to use."
Weston Favell Shopping Centre intends to continue collaborating with Trovr and the Northants Litter Wombles to expand the rewards programme in the near future.
Matt Harrison, operations manager for the shopping centre, commented:
"It's a really good cause."
Nick Yeatman, chief executive at Trovr, added:
"We want to turn everyday actions into meaningful impact; the initiative at Weston Favell brings that to life in a simple, rewarding way."
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