The UK DRS, set to launch nationwide on 1st October 2027, will require retailers selling drinks in PET plastic bottles or cans to accept those empty containers back from customers and refund a small deposit, expected to be 20p per item. Each can or bottle will carry a barcode that must be scanned and verified through a national DRS database before a refund is issued. 

For large supermarket chains, the solution is a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) – a £10,000+ machine that scans and stores returns on site. However, most of the UK’s 50,000 independent convenience stores don’t have the space or funds for that technology, yet they’re still legally required to participate – and failing to do so could lead to fines when the DRS begins.

The Trovr QUBE solves that problem. It’s roughly the size of an ATM and fits into a corner or near a store entrance and has the option to connect to the national DRS. Customers simply deposit their cans or bottles, which are scanned, weighed, and securely stored inside the unit. A unique anti-fraud verification system ensures that only eligible containers are accepted.

Retailers can use the Merchant Dashboard to monitor collections, payments, and footfall – and even create in-app offers that convert recycling activity into repeat visits, while customers can process their refund via the typically used paper token or digitally via the app, which also lets them store rewards, donate to charity, or redeem value in participating stores.

Most European countries with DRS have been very successful achieving average return rates above 90%1. These high consumer participation rates also present a commercial opportunity for small retailers, as being a recognised recycling return point could prove as important for driving footfall as having a parcel drop-off or an ATM machine in-store.

Nick Yeatman, Founder and CEO, Trovr, said: “The DRS will reshape how people interact with local shops. Every bottle and can bought will have a 20p deposit attached, and that money has to go somewhere. If customers can’t return their containers easily, they’ll go to the nearest store that lets them. We built the QUBE to make sure independent retailers aren’t left behind by this shift. It’s affordable, plug-and-play, and ready for the 2027 rollout.

“The QUBE isn’t just about compliance – it’s about opportunity. Retailers can earn from handling fees, attract repeat visits, and strengthen community ties by becoming part of the national recycling infrastructure. This is about turning a looming regulatory headache into a business advantage.”

Kaual Patel, owner of Torridon Convenience Store in Catford, one of Trovr’s first UK users, said: “Before Trovr, I had no idea how DRS would actually work in a small shop like mine. We don’t have the space or staff to deal with piles of bottles behind the counter. The QUBE fits neatly in one corner and just works. It’s clean, secure, and customers genuinely enjoy using it. They feel like they’re doing the right thing, and it’s brought a bit of buzz back into the shop. It keeps things tidy, saves us time, and shows we’re doing our bit for the environment. It’s a win all round.”

Trovr’s QUBE units are already live in Malta, Romania, Poland, Austria. The initial UK rollout phase has just begun, with the first units now installed at a small number of independent retailers in London. This follows a recent successful trial of the Trovr app with other recycling units at leisure centres and colleges via a partnership with West Suffolk Council.

Trovr’s hardware and software are built around a secure IoT platform, using barcode and weight sensing technology as well as remote telemetry to track every transaction. All data is stored in compliance with DRS scheme operators’ databases, ensuring full traceability and fraud prevention. 

Trovr has raised €3 million in private funding to date and is led by a multidisciplinary team spanning retail automation, hardware engineering, software development, and sustainability strategy. The company’s leadership brings more than 100 years of combined expertise in technology delivery, from large-scale industrial systems to last-mile consumer tech. 

With around 8 million tonnes of plastic entering our oceans each year (equal to dumping a garbage truck of plastic every minute) and the UK targeting 90% recycling rates by 2029, pressure is mounting on the retail sector to adopt scalable, accessible recycling systems. Trovr’s QUBE provides the infrastructure to make that possible, turning everyday bottle returns into an opportunity for community engagement, compliance, and growth. 

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