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Retailer installs London’s first reverse vending machine

Scottish DRS

A retailer has installed what is thought to be the first reverse vending machine (RVM) in an independent convenience shop in London. Peter Patel, owner of Costcutter in Brockley, Lewisham, installed a £12,000 RVM in his store last month, in preparation for the deposit return scheme (DRS) in 2025. 

The EcoVend unit accepts cans and bottles and prints out a voucher for Patel’s customers. “We thought it makes sense to install it now so people can get used to recycling,” said Patel. 

The store is running a points system via the RVM to raise funds for its local primary school. “If you deposit something, you get a point, and a receipt of these points that is returned to the till,” said Patel. “We tally up the points, convert that to money and donate it to the local school.” 

Read more deposit return scheme (DRS) news and advice

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