‘Smart’ recycling bins unveiled in bid to help thousands more young people across Scotland

A charity dedicated to helping young people across Scotland has unveiled, in partnership with Nathan’s Wastesavers new state-of-the-art clothing collection points across the region.

The ‘Netbin nLoK system’ recycling bins are being rolled out across ASDA supermarkets following a substantial rise in donations to Children’s charity Cash for Kids.

The devices use cutting-edge technology linked to a smartphone app enabling the charity’s team of workers to remotely unlock and lock bins, as well as monitoring when the bin is near capacity, to avoid it overflowing.

The new initiative, in partnership with textiles recycling leader Nathan’s Wastesavers and Egbert Taylor Holdings, has been introduced after Cash for Kids have received record clothing donations in 2017.

Emma Kemp, Regional Charity Manager for Cash for Kids, said: “In 2017, Cash for Kids broke new records with over £5.8 million raised and more than 268,000 young people receiving assistance from the charity across Scotland.

“Clothing donations played a significant part in helping us help even more people and we want to ensure that our recycling bins are fit for the future with greater capacity and better technology to speed up the process of collecting donations and turning them into the cash that provides such vital support.”

Kevin McBride, VP Retail North, at ASDA, commented: “Asda has been working with Cash for Kids for many years now and in the last 10 years the textile Bank scheme through Nathan’s Wastesavers has helped to raise over £750,000 to support disadvantaged children across Scotland.

“It therefore makes sense to launch this pioneering new system with two organisations that we have such a successful relationship.”

Peter Page, National Recycling Manager at Nathan’s Wastesavers, added: “The technology is pretty transformational as it increases security, safety and efficiency.

“By using a simple smartphone application, everyone involved in the management of the recycling process is in complete control, cutting down in wasted time checking bins, avoiding any unsightly overflows and ensuring that the bins are locked and always secure.”