Scottish trial reveals financial incentives can significantly boost recycling rates

A recycling trial in Scotland has shown that even a small financial reward can dramatically increase recycling participation.

Students at New College Lanarkshire recycled more than 20,000 plastic bottles and aluminium cans over a five-week period after a 20p incentive was introduced for each container returned via on-campus reverse vending machines (RVMs).

The initiative, led in partnership by Keep Scotland Beautiful, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) and New College Lanarkshire, recorded an eighty-fold increase in RVM use compared to the same period last year. In total, 20,177 containers were collected – 11,293 cans and 8,884 bottles – compared to just 255 items during the same timeframe in 2023.

The trial aimed to assess whether small financial incentives could influence recycling behaviour among students. When the 20p reward ended, usage of the machines fell sharply, with only 346 containers recycled in the following week – a 91% decrease on the trial’s weekly average.

Around 80% of the vouchers issued during the trial were redeemed, suggesting that the incentive was effective in motivating participation.

Barry Fisher, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: As expected a small incentive drove a huge increase in the use of these Reverse Vending Machines during this trial period.

Thanks to our consistent messaging across the college campuses the students were well informed of the machines and the incentive, and with two years until we see a UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme it’s vital that the public are aware of its introduction to ensure it is a success from the start.

The project follows an earlier study conducted by Keep Scotland Beautiful, CCEP and the University of Strathclyde, which explored how messaging and motivation affect recycling choices. That study found that half of students said a financial reward would encourage them to recycle more – a finding strongly supported by the latest results at New College Lanarkshire.

The full report can be found on Keep Scotland Beautiful here.