New 'Recycle on the Go' machines
Trial scheme to encourage people to recycle drink cans and plastic bottles while out and about.
Launched at ten Tesco Express and Metro stores in Essex, Hampshire and Hertfordshire, the new hi-tech units are aimed at encouraging pedestrians, shoppers and office workers to recycle while out and about. The units provide various incentives - including Clubcard points or donations to charity - in return for recycling.
Until recently, Tesco focused on using larger automated recycling units at out-of-town retail sites, but now the plan is to extend the initiative and cater for people living or working in local communities or town centres with new smaller ‘On the Go’ recycling units.
The £25,000 machines automatically recognise, segregate, then compact or shred the items to maximise the space within the unit. To minimise CO2 emissions, the recyclate collected from these machines are transported using vehicles that have just delivered goods to the store.
Tesco Head of Recycling and Waste, Sion Stanfield said: “We know through the success of our larger recycling units that a growing number of people are doing all they can to help the environment by recycling.
“These smaller units will make facilities more accessible to pedestrians when they’re ‘on the go’, so we’re optimistic that they will lead to increased levels of recycling and cleaner streets. If the ‘Recycle on the Go’ trial scheme is a success we hope to roll out to more UK high streets over the next few years”
‘Recycle on the Go’ recycling units have been installed outside the following stores:
- Broomfield Road Express - Chelmsford
- Bromley Road Express - Colchester
- Cheshunt Metro - Cheshunt
- Great Baddow Express - Chelmsford
- Harpenden Esso Express - Harpenden
- Hoddesdon Express - Hoddesdon
- London Colney Express - London Colney
- St Johns Express - Colchester
- Twyford Road Express - Eastleigh
- Ocean Village Express - Southampton
