Microchip could be key to no single-use plastics
Reading University is trialling the Sustain It scheme which allows students to swipe a reusable bottle to top-up.
Saturday 12 May 2018 06:54, UK
A microchip could be the key to removing single-use plastic bottles from the UK.
Students at Reading University have been embracing the reusable bottles with in-built microchip technology.
The moves comes as the UK becomes more aware of the damage single-use plastics can do to the environment from campaigns such as Sky's Ocean Rescue.
Reading is taking the lead and is hoping to completely phase out single-use plastics with the Sustain It bottle and reusable coffee cups.
Students top up their balance by swiping the bottom of the bottle, then they choose a drink from a vending machine by pressing an option on a digital screen.
The scheme was launched by Coca Cola in the US and Reading is the first place in the UK to trial Sustain It.
Since launching last autumn, the scheme has been so successful that Reading is hoping to phase out plastic bottles entirely.
The university says it has cut down on plastic bottles by 40% since last September.
Universities are seen as a perfect testing ground and there are hopes to expand the scheme across the UK.
While the university and its students are enthusiastic about the project, environmental charities have said there is still a long way to go to stop plastics polluting the Earth.
Chris Coode, deputy chief executive at river clean-up charity Thames 21, said it is great that the scheme is making it easy for people to get involved in tackling the plastic issue, and it shows that manufacturers are realising they need to be part of the solution.
However, he said: "We would like to see more opportunity for people to get involved.
"We would like to see more solutions.
"So one solution is never enough, it is part of a whole complex series of issues and we would like to see opportunities for consumers to work with companies, to work with manufacturers and policy makers so that there is a whole range of opportunities and we are seen to be solving this complicated problem together and I think that is the only way we are going to solve this in the long term."
:: Sky's Ocean Rescue campaign encourages people to reduce their single-use plastics. You can find out more about the campaign and how to get involved at www.skyoceanrescue.com