Morrissons is trialling a reverse vending machine in an effort to increase recycling of single-use plastic bottles. Credit: Mr Biz.

UK-based supermarkets chain Morrisons is set to trial reverse vending machines at some of its stores for a period of six months to allow shoppers to recycle single-use plastic bottles.

The retailer’s latest move is aimed at reducing its impact on the environment.

As part of the trial, customers can deposit a maximum of 20 bottles per day through reverse vending machines to receive 100 Morrisons More points that can be used on fuel, at Morissons Cafés, as well as in-store and online

The reverse vending machines will accept all plastic bottles with a barcode, as well as Morrisons own-branded bottles with no barcode.

“We want to play our part in making sure plastic bottles are collected and recycled. We’ll listen to customers as they use these machines.”

Morrisons group corporate services director Andrew Clappen said: “We want to play our part in making sure plastic bottles are collected and recycled. We’ll listen to customers as they use these machines.”

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Morrisons plans to trial the machines at its branches located in Skipton, North Yorkshire and Lindsayfield in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire.

Earlier this month, the retailer reintroduced brown paper bags for loose fruit and vegetables in an effort to reduce customers’ use of plastic.

Welcoming the decision, Friends of the Earth plastic campaigner Julie Kirby said: “Deposit schemes for plastic bottles are a welcome initiative, and are one of the ways that stores can work with customers to reduce the plastic that ends up in landfill and incinerators, or pollutes our environment.”

If the trial becomes successful, Morrisons plans to introduce the machines across more of its stores.

The company’s move comes amid an increasing drive by the retail industry to minimise single-use plastic waste.