Cambridge residents will be able to collect rewards for recycling plastic bottles and cans at a new reverse-vending machine at Parkside Pools, after a successful scheme run in Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill has been extended to the city.
Similar to machines that are a familiar sight in many European supermarkets, the Trovr machine is located in the lobby area at the pool and will issue points to users for each container they deposit.
Here’s how it works:
- Deposit: Residents bring their single-use drink containers (plastic bottles and cans) to the Trovr recycling machine.
- Verification: The machine verifies and identifies each container as recyclable.
- Rewards: Users earn points through the Trovr app for every container recycled. Points can be redeemed for online discounts, entry into cash giveaways, or with participating local businesses.
Cllr Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor for Climate Action and Environment at Cambridge City Council said: “It's great to have a new reverse-vending machine in the city. We are always keen to try out new ways of capturing recyclable packaging that could otherwise end up as litter or in landfill, and I’m grateful to Cllr Jean Glasberg for collaborating with West Suffolk Council to bring this idea to Cambridge. Parkside is well-located in terms of being close to the city centre and we hope that the machine will be used to capture any single-use drinks containers that people may bring to the pool or sports centre. I look forward to seeing how the scheme progresses.”
Reverse-Vending Machines (RVMs) are set to become a more common sight around the UK as the government brings in Deposit Return Scheme legislation from 2027. As part of this, retailers will charge a small deposit for plastic and aluminium drinks containers, which consumers will be able to redeem by recycling them.
Cllr Janne Jarvis of West Suffolk Council was instrumental in bringing RVMs to the UK, working with Trovr to develop the use of rewards, and pioneering the scheme by introducing seven machines across West Suffolk in 2024. Cllr Jarvis, a long-term former Cambridge resident, then sought to bring them to Cambridge through working with local councillors, in particular Cllr Glasberg.
Nick Yearman, CEO at Trovr said: “At Trovr, we’re passionate about making recycling rewarding and accessible for everyone. By placing our QUBE machine at Parkside Pools and Gym, we’re helping the community turn everyday recycling into a positive action that benefits both people and the planet. As the UK prepares for the national Deposit Return Scheme, initiatives like this show how simple technology can inspire real change.”
Parkside Pools and Gym operates under the Better brand and is managed by GLL, a charitable social enterprise, on behalf of Cambridge City Council.
Steven Rayment, GLL General Manager, at Parkside Pools and Gym said: “We are really pleased to team up with the council on this project which will allow not only pool users, but anyone to pop in during opening times to recycle and get something back. It’s a win-win-win – get fit, recycle, get a reward!”
Cllr Natalie Warren-Green, Lead Cabinet Member for Environment at South Cambridgeshire District Council said: “I hope that South Cambs residents who travel into Cambridge to use Parkside Pools, or use Queen Anne car park, will try out the new machine. Recycling is a feel-good activity anyway, but getting a voucher or discount is the icing on the cake.”
