Litter Wombles Start Second Recycling Machine

A group that picks up trash has put a second machine in the county that gives rewards for recycling cans and bottles.

The Northants Litter Wombles started the second machine at Weston Favell Shopping Centre with a company called Trovr.

The first machine was put at the University of Northampton in February 2025 and has taken over 1,000 bottles and cans since December.

Mark Watson from the Wombles said bottles and cans are a big part of the trash the group collects.

He said it's good for the environment and will help take a lot of trash off the streets.

Trovr will lend the machine for a long time to test the UK's national Deposit Return Scheme, which starts in October 2027.

Watson said the machines show people that the scheme is coming and will stop a lot of litter from getting into drains, rivers, and the sea.

People will also get money back, so it's a good deal for everyone.

The national plan puts a deposit on drink containers that people can get back when they return the container.

The machine at Weston Favell is different - people get a ticket for returning bottles and cans that they can trade for rewards at some stores.

Four stores are taking part now, and 11 more will join soon.

Nigel Stansfield from the council came to the launch and said seeing the machine helps get ready for the national scheme.

He said it's useful to see the machine working, and they want technology that works well for the national rollout.

He hopes the machines will be reliable and easy to use by next year.

Weston Favell Shopping Centre will keep working with Trovr and the Wombles to add more rewards.

The centre's operations manager, Matt Harrison, said it's a good cause.

Nick Yeatman from Trovr said they want to make everyday actions meaningful and the initiative at Weston Favell does that in a simple way.

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