Powys County Council is conducting a pilot program using digital technology to promote the recycling of beverage containers. The trial, known as the digital deposit return scheme (DRS), is taking place in and around the town of Brecon, beginning in July and concluding at the end of this month. Powys is by far the largest county in Wales. Powys County Council is the local authority for Powys, one of the administrative areas of Wales.
In this initiative, registered participants use a mobile app to scan a QR code attached to beverage containers before placing them in their home recycling bins, designated recycling machines or returning them to a participating store. As a reward, they receive a 10-pence cash incentive, which they can either keep or contribute to a local food bank. Each transaction is meticulously recorded, and each QR code is designed for one-time use.
This groundbreaking project, supported by the Digital DRS Alliance, seeks to gain insights into how individuals interact with the technology and their preferences regarding the return of beverage containers. It represents the first time such technology has been tested across an entire town and applies to various containers, including PET plastic bottles, aluminium and steel cans for soft drinks, non-alcoholic glass bottles, and Tetra Pak-style cartons.
The Welsh Government reports that approximately 1,200 households have registered for this scheme. First Minister Mark Drakeford emphasises their commitment to introducing a deposit return scheme in Wales, recognizing the importance of exploring various delivery methods to enhance recycling practices. Wales, currently the third-highest recycling nation globally with a recycling rate of around 65 per cent, aims to reach net zero waste and combat littering. The insights gathered from this trial will be instrumental in understanding recycling trends, a crucial aspect of achieving their sustainability goals.
Duncan Midwood, representing Circularity Solutions and leading the pilot consortium, applauds Wales for pioneering in advancing digital DRS, which has the potential to revolutionize global packaging recycling practices. The lessons learned from the Brecon trial will offer valuable insights to the industry and policymakers on how digital DRS can be integrated into a broader UK DRS framework to boost recycling rates further. Wales aspires to become a zero-waste nation by 2050, building on its current recycling success.
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