Co-op expands tech trials with launch of new reusable postal pouches to cut e-waste

The Co-op has expanded its tech-recirculation start-up, Spring, with the introduction of new reusable postal pouches to help consumers cut e-waste and unlock value in their old and unwanted phones and electronic devices.

The new service, known as Spring Post, launches this week in 45 Co-op stores located in towns and cities across the UK, including London, Brighton, and Manchester, to name a few.

To make the most of the service customers must collect one of Spring’s durable, padded and waterproof pouches from a participating store at the supermarket chain, and send tech they no longer use to the start-up, safely and conveniently.


Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free

Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning


The move increases the total number of Co-op stores offering Spring’s service to 75, and is in addition to the self-service Pods which are already located in 30 of the convenience retailer’s stores.

Originally founded in 2021, Spring has returned over 17,000 disused devices to circulation.

It allows consumers in more communities to turn their old tech into earnings, with devices then refurbished and recirculated back into the market – reducing the volume of unused technology becoming e-waste.

“Expanding our partnership with Spring enables more communities to unlock the value in forgotten phones and other unwanted tech which are then re-used or recycled avoiding unnecessary e-waste,” director of format & innovation at Co-op Food Mark Matthews said.

He added: “We are committed to creating added services which provide a compelling customer offer in our communities and, making it quick, easy and convenient for shoppers to make small changes to their everyday lives, can add up to make a big difference for our planet and natural environment.”

Spring Co-founder, James Seear also commented: “Our partnership with Co-op and launch of Spring post is an important step in bringing our mission of building a financially and environmentally sustainable tech ecosystem to as many people and communities as possible.

“The partnership brings the opportunity of earning extra money to more communities, and importantly prevents pre-loved devices from becoming electronic waste – which is a rapidly growing problem in the UK,” Seear said.

“Spring is working to build a circular economy around consumer choices and, is challenging the way people currently interact with their technology,” he added.

It comes off the back of Co-op its expanding its partnership with tech-recirculation service, Spring last summer.

InnovationNewsSupermarketsSustainability

RELATED POSTS

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.

Menu

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign up to our daily newsletter to get all the latest grocery news and insights direct to your inbox.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.