2/2/23 NatWest trials reverse vending machines
*** UNDER EMBARGO Until 00:01 2nd February 2023 *** BRITS HAVE SENT OVER 76 MILLION PLASTIC CARDS - OR 380 TONNES OF WASTE - TO LANDFILL SINCE 2017 DUE TO LACK OF ECO-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES NatWest trials pioneering Reverse Vending Machines to help Londoners reduce plastic card pollution
New research from the bank reveals 65 million unused plastic cards are gathering dust in UK homes Confusion over whether plastic cards are recyclable has contaminated 10.2 million batches of recycling NatWest is calling on Londoners to recycle their old plastic cards, card readers and bottles using the new machines, located at Victoria Place, Canary Wharf Shopping Centre and in partnership with the NHS at Thomas and Guys Hospital The latest research from NatWest reveals a lack of recycling options for plastic payment, gift and loyalty cards has created over 380 tonnes of plastic card waste since 2017, equivalent to 211 stampeding elephants. NatWest has today launched a first-of-its-kind ‘Reverse Vending Machines’ offering a secure, eco-friendly way to recycle unused plastic cards of which there are 65 million gathering dust in peoples’ homes, or sat idly in their wallets and bags. The new machine will also accept card readers and plastic bottles for recycling. In their new London locations, the Reverse Vending Machines are free to use for everybody, regardless of whether they are a NatWest customer. The design, manufacture and trial of the bespoke Reverse Vending Machines began in the wake of COP26 and are now launching to the public, available initially in London, one of the UK’s plastic pollution hubs. The first machines will be situated at Victoria Place and Canary Wharf Shopping Centres, offering easy access to shoppers and commuters. Two machines will also be placed in Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals, in partnership with the NHS. This follows trials last year at NatWest’s Edinburgh and London offices, where over 35,000 cards and 2,000 bottles gathered from testing sites have already been recycled into over 3,000 hats and pairs of socks. Over 400 of these garments were donated to Social Bite in December as part of their ‘Festival of Kindness’ for homeless and vulnerable communities in London. The pilot launch builds on the recent introduction of NatWest’s environmentally friendly debit and credit cards made of 86% recycled material - a move expected to save over 50 tonnes of PVC plastic.
For more information please contact:
Alice.Bravery@stripecommunications.com
Read MoreNew research from the bank reveals 65 million unused plastic cards are gathering dust in UK homes Confusion over whether plastic cards are recyclable has contaminated 10.2 million batches of recycling NatWest is calling on Londoners to recycle their old plastic cards, card readers and bottles using the new machines, located at Victoria Place, Canary Wharf Shopping Centre and in partnership with the NHS at Thomas and Guys Hospital The latest research from NatWest reveals a lack of recycling options for plastic payment, gift and loyalty cards has created over 380 tonnes of plastic card waste since 2017, equivalent to 211 stampeding elephants. NatWest has today launched a first-of-its-kind ‘Reverse Vending Machines’ offering a secure, eco-friendly way to recycle unused plastic cards of which there are 65 million gathering dust in peoples’ homes, or sat idly in their wallets and bags. The new machine will also accept card readers and plastic bottles for recycling. In their new London locations, the Reverse Vending Machines are free to use for everybody, regardless of whether they are a NatWest customer. The design, manufacture and trial of the bespoke Reverse Vending Machines began in the wake of COP26 and are now launching to the public, available initially in London, one of the UK’s plastic pollution hubs. The first machines will be situated at Victoria Place and Canary Wharf Shopping Centres, offering easy access to shoppers and commuters. Two machines will also be placed in Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals, in partnership with the NHS. This follows trials last year at NatWest’s Edinburgh and London offices, where over 35,000 cards and 2,000 bottles gathered from testing sites have already been recycled into over 3,000 hats and pairs of socks. Over 400 of these garments were donated to Social Bite in December as part of their ‘Festival of Kindness’ for homeless and vulnerable communities in London. The pilot launch builds on the recent introduction of NatWest’s environmentally friendly debit and credit cards made of 86% recycled material - a move expected to save over 50 tonnes of PVC plastic.
For more information please contact:
Alice.Bravery@stripecommunications.com
NatWest trails Reverse Vending Machines, London, 1st February 2023
### Strictly Embargoed Until 00:01 on 02/02/2023 ###
*** FREE FOR EDITORIAL USE ***
Londoners can now recycle their plastic debit and credit cards securely and in an eco-friendly way as part of NatWest's first-of-its-kind 'Reverse Vending Machines'. The first machine has been installed at Victoria Place Shopping Centre food terrace above Victoria Station, to reduce plastic pollution due to payment cards.
