Vending

Wimbledon pilots reverse vending ahead of UK deposit return launch

Image: Adobe stock

July 6, 2026

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A pilot of the U.K.'s upcoming deposit return scheme debuted during the Wimbledon Championships Qualifying Competition in Roehampton, southwest London, according to a Packaging Europe report, giving spectators an early look at reverse vending machines before the national program launches next year.

Operated by Exchange for Change, the trial allowed visitors to return empty 75-centiliter Evian plastic bottles purchased on-site. Each bottle included a 20-pence deposit, or about 27 cents, which consumers could reclaim by returning the container to one of two reverse vending machines. Deposits collected during the pilot were donated to the Wimbledon Foundation.

Organizers said the pilot was designed to evaluate how reverse vending machines perform in a live event environment while gathering feedback on the consumer experience. Officials from The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Danone and Exchange for Change said the findings will help refine the nationwide deposit return scheme and encourage higher recycling rates. Under the U.K. program, PET plastic bottles and aluminum and steel beverage cans ranging from 150 milliliters to 3 liters will be eligible for returns, with both automated and manual collection options available.

The initiative builds on Wimbledon's broader sustainability efforts, including refillable water stations that dispensed about 40,000 refills during the 2025 Championships. Event organizers also continue to expand reusable food and beverage packaging through partnerships with suppliers. The pilot comes as beverage container policies have drawn increased attention at major sporting events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where rules governing reusable and disposable water bottles prompted debate over sustainability and spectator hydration.