Recycling success for West Suffolk: partnership to boost recycling is extended

Recycling success for West Suffolk: partnership to boost recycling is extended

22 Nov 2024

Two additional reverse vending machines have been installed in West Suffolk following an initial six month trial.

Earlier this year West Suffolk became the first council in the country to get behind an initiative to increase recycling and support local businesses. The council teamed up with Love Newmarket Business Improvement District (BID), Our Bury St Edmunds BID, The Guineas Shopping Centre, Abbeycroft, Eastern Education Group, and Trovr to deliver four reverse vending machines.

Thanks to an enthusiastic response from the local community two more machines have been added; one in Haverhill Leisure Centre and another in local insurance broker Howden Bury St Edmunds. These join the machines already installed in The Guineas, Newmarket Leisure Centre, West Suffolk College and Parkway Multi-storey.

Trovr, the company supplying the machines, uses a smartphone app to incentivise recycling through points-based rewards. Residents can earn points by recycling at the designated machines, redeemable at local and national businesses.
With the goal to increase recycling rates of single use drinks containers and reduce litter, it is positive that a total of 12,640 items have been recycled via the machines so far.

The UK government has announced that from 2027, a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is to be introduced across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. By working with Trovr, West Suffolk residents will be ahead of the curve in using such a scheme.

Cllr Gerald Kelly, Cabinet Member for Governance, Regulatory and Environment at West Suffolk Council said, "I am thrilled that Trovr has expanded the reverse vending scheme in West Suffolk. This was a unique opportunity for the council and partners to lead the way in environmental innovation, promoting recycling with impressive results. It is fantastic to see the local community's enthusiastic support for the project, a promising sign as we look toward the national rollout of the Deposit Return Scheme and other recycling initiatives to bolster our environmental resilience."

Nick Yeatman, Chief Executive Officer of Trovr said "At Trovr, we're thrilled to see the community's enthusiasm for recycling and how well the reverse vending machines and Trovr app have been received in West Suffolk. This expansion is a testament to the local commitment to sustainable practices. By making recycling easy and rewarding, we're not only boosting recycling rates but also helping to create a cleaner, greener future. It's exciting to see West Suffolk residents embrace this innovative approach ahead of the UK's upcoming Deposit Return Scheme."

Jonathan Turner-Smith, Branch Manager at Howden Bury St Edmunds, said: "At Howden, we use insurance as a powerful force for good. As well as helping you find cover for the most important things in your life, we also take pride in supporting our local community and the causes that matter. We're delighted to have partnered with Trovr and West Suffolk Council to host one of the new reverse vending machines at our Bury St Edmunds branch. Together, we can encourage sustainable habits and contribute to a cleaner, greener future for everyone.

Mark Cordell, Chief Executive Officer, Our Bury St Edmunds said "The first machine in the multistorey car park has been a success but I think a more centrally located machine will be used even more. I am delighted that BID business, Howden Insurance, have taken up this opportunity, which was offered to all of our members"

Warren Smyth, Chief Executive Officer of Abbeycroft said "It's fantastic that we have been able to work with West Suffolk Council and TROVR to install a second machine at Haverhill Leisure Centre. This comes after the recent success for the installation at Newmarket Leisure Centre which has been very popular, enabling customers and the local community an easy opportunity to recycle bottles and cans. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership."