Parkside recycling trial extended for another six months

Visitors to Parkside Pools & Gym can continue recycling their empty drinks containers and earning rewards after the success of our recycling trial, which has now been extended for a further six months.

Launched in partnership with Trovr and Greater Cambridge Shared Waste, the initiative has made it easier than ever for customers to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans during their visit while helping support a cleaner, greener Cambridge.

Since the recycling unit was installed, around 390 people have used it to recycle their drinks containers. More than 92% of users have also signed up to the Trovr app to collect reward points, showing that customers are embracing the opportunity to recycle while earning incentives.

Together, Parkside visitors have already recycled almost 20kg of plastic and more than 10kg of aluminium, helping save an estimated 51.4kg of carbon emissions. Every bottle and can recycled contributes to reducing waste and keeping valuable materials in circulation rather than ending up in landfill.

The trial was introduced to encourage simple, everyday recycling habits in a convenient location where people regularly purchase and consume drinks. By placing the recycling unit in one of Cambridge's busiest leisure centres, we've made it easy for customers to dispose of their empty containers responsibly before heading home. The positive response from visitors shows that making recycling accessible can encourage more sustainable choices.

The extension will also help prepare our community for the UK's upcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which is expected to be introduced in the coming years. The scheme will see a small deposit added to the price of eligible drinks containers, which can then be reclaimed when the empty bottle or can is returned for recycling.

By taking part in the trial now, customers are becoming familiar with the type of recycling systems they are likely to see more of in the future.

The data collected during the first phase of the trial has provided valuable insights into customer recycling habits. Most of the containers recycled have been 500ml drinks bottles, reflecting the grab-and-go refreshments that many people buy before or after a swim, gym session or fitness class. Understanding these habits will help shape future recycling initiatives both at Parkside and across the wider community.

Over the next six months, we'll continue working with Trovr to build on the trial's success. Plans include introducing more site-specific rewards and giveaways to encourage even more customers to use the recycling machine and make recycling part of every visit. These incentives are designed to make sustainable choices both rewarding and enjoyable for visitors of all ages.

As a community leisure centre, we're committed to supporting initiatives that benefit both our customers and the environment. Extending the recycling trial is another step towards creating a more sustainable facility while encouraging everyone who visits Parkside to play their part.

We'd like to thank everyone who has supported the trial so far. Every recycled bottle and can makes a difference, and we're excited to continue working with our customers and partners over the next six months to build on these fantastic results. If you're visiting Parkside, don't forget to bring your empty drinks containers and make use of the recycling unit - you'll be helping the environment while earning rewards at the same time.