Coinstar launches a new recycling programme - “Change for our Earth”
 Coinstar has recently launched its Change for our Earth™ programme that encourages an innovative form of recycling. By reusing coins we limit the need to use natural resources required to produce new coins. And putting coin back into circulation is easy by using it in daily transactions, donating to charity, converting at self-service coin counting machines, or taking coins to the bank.
With an estimated £380 million worth of coins lying idle around Britain’s homes, reusing even 10% could supply roughly 1.3 billion coins.
Put another way, reusing 1.3 billion coins can be measured in the form of water consumption, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. If Britons began to embrace this new form of recycling, just 10% of the nation’s spare coins would be equivalent to approximately:
- 6 million showers
- Energy to power 1,800 households annually
- Carbon emissions reduction to take 993 cars off the road for a year*
However, according to Coinstar research, 92% of Britons don't feel guilty about having change sitting around, not being put to use. Coinstar’s Change for our Earth programme aims to educate consumers on the environmental savings potential of reusing coins. Sixty-three percent of respondents said they would make more of an effort to put coins back into circulation if they knew it would have a positive impact on the environment.
“Coins are one of the most durable products in our economy and unlike notes have a lifespan of 30 years or more. With the demand for currency rising, it’s more important than ever to reuse an existing resource,” said Alex Camara, Managing Director, Coinstar Ltd. “Coinstar is proud to introduce the Change for our Earth programme, and we’re confident Britons can make a difference. It’s as easy as looking for change at home in coin jars, down the back of the sofa and in the car and reusing it– all adding up to a greener planet.”
Coin can be put back into circulation by using it in daily transactions, donating to charity, converting at self-service coin counting machines, or taking coins to the bank.
*Figure based on US Environmental Protection Agency data for 2005
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