Coca-Cola and Merlin Entertainments are encouraging recycling through reverse vending machines by offering VIP experiences in exchange for empty plastic bottles
Between 14 July and 30 September 2022, guests can win VIP experiences if they recycle a 500ml plastic bottle at a reverse vending machine across nine of Merlin’s attractions.
The reverse vending machines are available at Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Warwick Castle.
They can also be found at Sea Life aquariums in Blackpool, Brighton and London, and at the Legoland Discovery Centre in Birmingham.
Prizes include a tour of the Sea Life Trust Cornish Seal Sanctuary, a shark dive at the Bear Grylls Adventure, and a green sea turtle experience at Sea Life Manchester.
Recycling via reverse vending machines
“Sustainability is core to our operations at Merlin Entertainments and we are excited to partner again with Coca-Cola Great Britain on this initiative,” said Dare Ilori, Merlin’s group head of sustainability.
“We are continuing to progress against our sustainability ambitions, including removing unnecessary packaging and plastic on all our branded merchandise,” Ilori added.
“In our Sea Life attractions, we banned all plastic straws and retail plastic bags at the end of 2018, and in our UK resort theme parks we are proud to now be operating with zero waste to landfill.
“We know that there is much more we can do though, and that we have a role to play in enabling and encouraging consumers to reduce, return and recycle their plastic.”
Since the launch of the initiative with Coca-Cola in 2018, Merlin has collected and recycled more than 100,000 plastic bottles through 22 reverse vending machines at the company’s attractions.
Last month, Merlin opened its first next-generation Lego Discovery Centre in Brussels.
Images: Merlin/Coca-Cola
