Lidl is trialling bottle return scheme which offers customers uncapped cash rewards to recycle their PET plastic and aluminium drink containers in stores.

The pilot, which is being rolled across all 21 of the discounter’s Glasgow branches, follows the delay of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) by the Scottish government which was supposed to come into force in August 2023.

Customers will receive 5p for each eligible item they return via reverse vending machines, which can either be redeemed against their shopping or donated to Lidl’s charity partner, The STV Children’s appeal, which it has been supporting since 2011.

Lidl predicts that the pilot will result in a minimum 10.5 tonnes of plastic and aluminium material being recycled each month, with the material being retained and used to create new plastic and aluminium products.

“We’re on a mission to eliminate all unnecessary waste, and with over 95 per cent of our own-brand packaging now recyclable, reusable, or refillable we’ve been making great progress,” said Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB. “We know that Lidl shoppers share this passion, and we hope that utilising this infrastructure, which might otherwise have been left dormant, will help to make recycling their cans and bottles even more convenient for them.”

He continued: “With our extra incentive thrown in, and no cap on the number of items that can be recycled, it’s a win-win for all.”

---