Spinneys, in partnership with PepsiCo, has introduced reverse vending machines to its sustainable branch at Dubai’s Layan Community.
The machines – used to collect waste plastic bottles – encourages regular recycling. Customers who recycle a minimum of five plastic bottles are automatically entered into a monthly prize draw where they could win Spinneys shopping vouchers or a dining experience at luxury restaurant BOCA.
The project is an extension of the grocery retailer’s ‘Let’s Close the Loop’ campaign, which is committed to plastic recycling and sustainability practices.
“Spinneys’ ‘Close the Loop’ campaign underscores our commitment to strive for a circular waste management system and support the growth of the recycled plastics sector,” said Sunil Kumar Sekharan, CEO of Spinneys.
“One of our key goals is to deliver the best sustainable practices, so the more we can do in our stores, the easier we make it for our local customers to help drive action for change too. This partnership with PepsiCo is a perfect example of how we can do better, together to help save our planet.”
The partnership also sees Spinneys join PepsiCo’s ‘Join the Ripple Effect’ initiative, which seeks to collect plastic bottles responsibly and ensure plastic never becomes waste.
Aamer Sheikh, CEO of PepsiCo’s Middle East division, said: “We are delighted to partner with Spinneys on this important initiative. Through our global PepsiCo positive (pep+) framework, we are committed to building a circular and inclusive value chain – driven by our efforts to reuse, recycle and reinvent.
“Over the years, we have invested in several initiatives including the commitment to collect and recycle the equivalent of all Aquafina packaging produced in the UAE in 2021, and partnerships with local waste management companies, to improve waste segregation and recycling.”
Through the partnership, Spinneys contributes to the nation’s agenda of increasing consumers’ recycling habits and reducing municipal solid waste generation.
By targeting a 30 per cent reduction in plastic packaging and a 40 per cent increase in the use of renewable materials for packaging, the grocery retailer aims to prevent packaging turning to waste, build its customers’ awareness and advance its sustainability infrastructure.
DGrade, the company that makes the vending machines, further cements Spinneys’ sustainability infrastructure by providing Spinneys’ Layan staff with polo shirts made from the plastic collected in its machines.
“Our mission is to provide a sustainable solution for plastic by recycling it into clothing,” DGrade co-founder Emma Barber said.
“The RVM at Spinneys Layan store provides a facility where customers can be confident that the plastic they recycle will in fact be processed into new products, as DGrade collects and recycles the plastic from the machine at their new factory in Abu Dhabi.”
Spinneys’ Layan branch is also free of plastic bags.
