For the second year running, Merlin Entertainments has teamed up with Coca-Cola to offer VIP experiences at the former’s UK attractions in exchange for empty plastic bottles.
The companies are encouraging recycling via 28 reverse vending machines at 11 Merlin attractions, including Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Chessington and Thorpe Park.
The reverse vending machines will also be located at Warwick Castle, Sea Life aquariums in Blackpool, Birmingham, Brighton and London, the Blackpool Tower, and Birmingham’s Legoland Discovery Centre.
“Plastic waste remains a long-term environmental issue and we are committed to raising awareness and helping establish solutions to address it,” said Dare Ilori, Merlin’s group sustainability director.
“As a global company, we’ll always seek to reduce our impact on the environment with clear, measurable actions. But now we also encourage our guests to respect their own environments and do the right thing for a sustainable future.”
From 1 July through 30 September, guests will be able to recycle a 500ml plastic bottle at any of the reverse vending machines across Merlin‘s venues.
This year, the VIP prizes include a behind-the-scenes tour and experience in the Sharkbait Reef attraction at Alton Towers‘ Sea Life aquarium, and a giraffe feeding experience at Chessington World of Adventures.
Swap plastic bottles for VIP experiences
Entrants could also win a shark feeding experience at Legoland Windsor‘s Deep Sea Adventure, as well as the chance to climb The Swarm coaster at Thorpe Park.
Since introducing the reverse vending machines in 2019, Coca-Cola and Merlin have collected more than 100,000 plastic bottles.
“We share Merlin’s passion for entertainment and goals for sustainability: all of our bottles are 100 percent recyclable, and this year we added attached caps across our portfolio to make it easier for people to recycle the whole package and help reduce littering,” said Elodie Peribere, marketing director at Coca-Cola Great Britain.
