Lidl pilots first-of-its-kind bottle return scheme

From 8 February, shoppers in Glasgow will be able to receive unlimited cash rewards in return for empty PET plastic and aluminium drinks containers via the discount grocer’s in-store reverse vending machines.

The initiative will be trialled across all 21 of Lidl’s Glasgow stores until 11 August 2024,  with the potential to expand to further areas.

It is expected to result in a minimum of 10.5 tonnes of plastic and aluminium material being recycled each month, which will be used to create new plastic and aluminium products.

Participating shoppers will receive 5p for each eligible item that they return, which can either be redeemed against their grocery shop or donated to Lidl’s long-standing charity partner The STV Children’s appeal.

There will be no cap on the number of items that can be returned and the discounter will accept qualifying bottles and cans purchased from any retailer as long as they are clean and uncrushed.

The launch comes after the Scottish government delayed the introduction of its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) from its original start date of 16 August 2023. A revised date of 1 October 2025 has since been proposed. The Lidl scheme will use the infrastructure that Lidl had already put in place in preparation for the DRS.

However, unlike the DRS plans, Lidl’s bottle return scheme will not place a deposit on the retail price of the original product.

Grocery Gazette