Community-led DRS trial praised by stores for attracting footfall

Retailers participating in one of the first community-led digital deposit return schemes (DRS) in the UK have praised the pilot for bringing in potential new customers to their stores.

Businesses across Brecon, Wales, have been involved in the ‘Scan, Recycle, Reward’ trial taking place between 13 July and 1 November.

The scheme, managed by Powys County Council, is open to residents who are asked scan a code on empty single-use drink containers with their phone. They are then required to take the containers to kerbside recycling collection or specific return points for a 10p cash reward per container.

Those operating as a return point include major retailers and cafes, including Co-op, Bargain Booze, Morrisons and Costcutter. More specifically, a Spar, Premier and Holland & Barrett are the only businesses taking over-the-counter returns as part of the trial. No barcode scanning is required for those who opt for the over-the-counter service, and the cash reward is given at the counter.

Mark Jones, of Spar Brecon, told Better Retailing the DRS scheme had helped attract first-time visitors to his store. He added: “We’ve been participating since the end of August and it’s helping people become more sustainable. We get about two large bags a week, which contain 30 to 40 bottles. It’s bringing new people in.”

The trial was also praised by Holland & Barrett store manager Pauline, who told Better Retailing: “It did take a couple of weeks, but people really opened to it. We get about 40 to 50 containers a week and it shows the community is really passionate about sustainability. We store the containers behind the counter and we’ve had no issues whatsoever.”

Although both retailers said they had generated no additional sales from those bringing in containers, they stressed there was a potential opportunity from them returning in the future.

Containers accepted in the trial are PET plastic bottles, aluminium and steel soft drink cans, non-alcoholic glass bottles and Tetra Pak style cartons.