Vending machine could end plastic bottles menace

REVERSE vending machines could be installed in shops to take back plastic bottles and cans, under plans being considered by ministers.

The machines would form part of a deposit return scheme (DRS) inspired by a programme in Norway designed to boost recycling and reduce waste.

Customers who pay a deposit on the bottles and cans when buying a drink can post the empties into a reverse vending machine. It recognises the bar code and pays out a coupon which can be redeemed at the tills.

The equipment is central to successful initiatives that operate across Scandinavia, Germany and the US.

The Daily Mail, which is campaigning to ‘turn the tide on plastic’, has learned that Environment Minister Therese Coffey visited Norway, Sweden and Denmark in December to see how their schemes work.

Every day an estimated 35million plastic bottles and 20million aluminium cans are sold in the UK. Currently, less than 60 per cent of the bottles are collected for recycling. The rest go into landfill, are burned or end up as litter.

Norway, by contrast, claims a recycling rate of 97 per cent.

Support for a DRS in the UK is growing, with Coca- Cola backing it. Tesco, Iceland and the Co-op have also come out in support. They are likely to install the reverse vending machines in stores.

The National Federation of Retail Newsagents, which represents 15,000 corner shops, is also in favour.

Kjell Olav Maldum, of Infinitum which runs the Norway bottle scheme, told the BBC: ‘ There are other recycling schemes, but we believe ours is the most cost-efficient. We think it could be copied in the UK – or anywhere.’

Environment Secretary Michael Gove has set up a working group to investigate how to reduce single-use plastic, which includes looking at bringing in a DRS.

A spokesman for his department said the group will report to ministers soon.

More businesses are banning single-use straws.

Marriott International, London City Airport and Eurostar have joined chains including JD Wetherspoon, Costa and Pizza Express in removing plastic straws, which can harm marine life.