Vending

Special Olympics GB to test accessible reverse vending

Image: Adobe Stock

August 26, 2026

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Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Exchange for Change and Special Olympics Great Britain will conduct an accessibility trial of reverse vending machines during the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games in Birmingham, England, according to a C-Talk report. The Aug. 27-30 trial at Alexander Stadium will examine how athletes with intellectual disabilities, spectators, volunteers and caregivers interact with the machines and understand instructions related to the UK's planned Deposit Return Scheme, which is scheduled to launch in October 2027.

Exchange for Change will collect feedback to identify accessibility barriers and potential improvements before the national program begins. Special Olympics GB athletes were also consulted on the artwork and instructions used during the trial. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners will donate 20 British pence, or about 27 cents U.S., to Special Olympics GB for each eligible beverage container returned. Recyclever and Sielaff will supply the reverse vending machines.

The project builds on previous research by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Exchange for Change into reverse vending technology and is intended to help develop accessibility guidance for the national deposit program. More than 1,200 athletes with intellectual disabilities are expected to compete in 15 sports during the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games, the organization's first national summer games since 2017.