Co-op has expanded its trial with tech-recirculation start-up, Spring, with the introduction of new, reusable Pouches to help consumers cut e-waste and unlock the value in their old and unwanted phones and electronic devices.
The new service, known as Spring Post, launches this week (12 March) in 45 Co-op stores located in towns and cities including: Birmingham; Brighton; Bristol; Cardiff; Leeds; London; Manchester and Swansea. Customers simply collect one of Spring’s unique durable, padded and waterproof Pouches from a participating Co-op store, and send tech they no longer use to Spring, safely and conveniently.
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. It allows consumers in more communities to turn their pre-loved tech into earnings, with devices then refurbished and recirculated back into the market – reducing the volume of unused technology becoming e-waste.
Mark Matthews, Director of Format & Innovation, Co-op Food, said: “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. 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.”
James Seear, Spring Co-founder, said: “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. Spring is working to build a circular economy around consumer choices and, is challenging the way people currently interact with their technology.”
Founded in 2021, Spring says it has returned over 17,000 disused devices to circulation. Pouches can also be requested free of charge online, find out more at www.spring.co.uk
