Co-op trials tech-recirculation start-up, Spring, to help shoppers reuse or recycle unused and unwanted electronic devices, conveniently

11 October 2021

Co-op trials with tech-recirculation start-up, Spring, to help shoppers reuse or recycle electronic devices, conveniently. It has been announced today (Monday, 11 October).

  • Spring launches trials in Co-op convenience stores today (Monday, 11 October), helping customers recirculate their old electronic devices to be used again, making it simpler for increasingly environmentally conscious consumers to avoid e-waste
  • Customers can sell old tech at Spring’s kiosk-style ‘pods’ to help tackle the UK’s 1.6 million tonne e-waste problem, with Spring aiming to get 100,000 devices back in circulation in the next 12 months
  • All electrical devices, including smartphones, tablets and e-readers, that are thrown-away constitutes e-waste – Spring will ensure all devices it buys will be repaired, refurbished, reused, or recycled – with no components incinerated, sent to landfill or shipped overseas

Co-op trials with tech-recirculation start-up, Spring, to help shoppers reuse or recycle electronic devices, conveniently, it has been announced today (Monday, 11 October), to enable consumers to reuse or recycle their unused and unwanted electronic devices back into circulation and, to help tackle the issue of e-waste.

The new service is initially launching trials in more than 20 Co-op stores* with kiosk-style ‘pods’ that enable shoppers to quickly and easily sell their old devices such as phones, tablets, e-readers and smartwatches, which then get repaired, refurbished, reused, or recycled.

The service is initially launching in Co-op stores in London with further locations in Manchester, Leeds, Brighton and Birmingham to follow.

Spring has ambitious plans to work with other retailers and organisations and have more than 250 pods across the country in the next 12 months, which will help achieve its goal of bringing around 100,000 devices back into circulation.

Where devices cannot be re-used, Spring will ensure all components - and precious materials including: gold; copper; aluminium and, steel which are discarded within these devices when they are thrown away - are recycled, ensuring nothing goes to landfill or incineration.

Spring’s pods accept almost 12,000 devices and customers will receive payment to their Spring account in 2-5 days, which can be transferred to a bank account or charity. An account can be set up quickly and easily at Spring.co.uk

Mark Matthews, Co-op’s Director of Innovation and Format, said: “Co-op is committed to operating at the heart of local life and creating value in our communities - we are working to develop new ways to provide added services and choice, conveniently. Our partnership with Spring will make it easy for consumers to recycle or reuse their electronic devices locally and prevent unnecessary waste. Making it easier for consumers to make small changes to their lives, can add up to making a big difference for our environment.”

Tom Williams, Co-Founder, at Spring said: “Creating a circular economy is key to living more sustainably, that’s why we’re aiming to get almost 100,000 devices back into the world over the next year. Spring makes it easy for both retailers and consumers to recirculate old tech, which not only puts money in their pockets but also has a major impact on the environment. Starting with Co-op, hundreds of Spring pods will be popping up at retailers around the country in the coming months – find your local one at Spring.co.uk.” . All electrical devices, including smartphones, that are thrown-away constitutes e-waste – with many being incinerated, landfilled, or shipped illegally overseas. What’s more, the precious materials – including gold, copper, aluminium, and steel – that are discarded within these devices every year - are estimated to be worth more than £370 million in the UK alone, and are used in several technologies vital to the environment and our wellbeing, including wind turbines, solar panels, artificial joints, and pacemakers.

Editor Notes:

*Spring pods will initially feature in 20 Co-op stores (all London) – Dulwich (Lordship Lane), Stockwell (Brixton Road), Battersea (Northcote Road), Wandsworth (Alderbrook Road), Wandsworth (Garratt Land), Wandsworth (Lavender Hill), Putney (London), Parsons Green, Battersea, Chelsea (Kings Road), Greenwich, Dover House (Lower Marsh), Strand, Westminster (Portman Square), London (275 Grays Inn Road), Old Street, Hackney – Cambridge Heath Road, Kentish Town, Crouch End (The Broadway), Hackney (Manor House Station).

Further information:
Andrew Torr
Co-op Press Office
M: 07702505551
E: andrew.torr@coop.co.uk