‘Reverse’ vending machines will allow people to get cash for bottles and cans

People will be able to earn cash from recycling plastic bottles and drinks cans at ‘reverse’ vending machines at shops and supermarkets under new plans.

The government has proposed that a deposit return scheme be introduced in England which would enable residents to take qualifying bottles and cans to machines in shops and receive a payment per item.

The concept of earning money for recycling your own plastic bottles and cans is a familiar one in Europe, with almost all German supermarkets containing specialised machines for the task.

In the UK it would apply only to plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate – known as ‘PET’, as well as steel and aluminium cans of sizes between 50ml and three litres. 

Glass bottles are not included in England, although they are in Scotland and Wales.

While a rate for the deposit scheme is yet to be confirmed, officers at Tameside council say it is ‘likely’ to be 20p per container.  

A start date for the scheme has been set as October 1, 2025.

Containers that can be accepted would have an identification mark, such as a bar code or QR code, that can be read at the return point.

Retailers selling ‘in scope’ bottles and cans would be obliged to host a return vending machine, but would receive a handling fee to compensate them for costs incurred in hosting a return point.

However, smaller retailers could apply for an exemption to get out of hosting one.

If products that could be returned at the machines end up in the normal recycling stream, local authorities could potentially be able to separate out the containers and redeem the deposit on them – however bosses warn this would be ‘technically challenging’.

Responding to the government’s plans, David Taylor, executive director at GMCA Waste and Resources, said he welcomes the scheme ‘in principle’ but ‘has some concerns’.

He added: “Glass bottles will not be included in England but will be in Scottish and Welsh deposit return schemes.

"It’s frustrating that the relevant governments couldn’t agree a universal approach at a time when the national resources and waste strategy is focused on creating a more consistent recycling scheme across the country.

“This is just going to add to the confusion and adds a layer of complexity for drinks suppliers who supply retailers in each country.

“It will undoubtedly impact on councils recycling rates, diverting material away from kerbside collections and impact on the flow of materials through the materials recovery facility.”

Mr Taylor added that as the largest waste disposal authority in the country, the impact of the introduction of the return scheme is ‘likely to be more disruptive here than in other parts of England’ and he urged that it be phased in once other national changes to recycling collections had also been introduced.

Officers in Tameside said that the diversion of recyclable materials away from kerbside collections would reduce the income levels council receive through the waste levy.

They added: “There is likely to be some confusion with the public on what types of container will be part of the deposit return scheme.

“It is expected the scheme will reduce the amount of litter and may even encourage people to litter pick their area in order to redeem deposits.”

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