Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has installed a new generation of smart fountain dispensers at the University of Reading in the UK to help reduce soft drinks packaging footprint.

The dispensers, known as Coca-Cola Freestyle machines, comprise refillable containers that are micro-chipped to interact with the dispenser technology.

This allows customers to buy the soft drinks in customizable and reusable bottles, which are manufactured by Whirley-Drinks Works

In the first two weeks of ten-week trial period, the refill system has provided 500 refillable bottles to the students, helping them in reducing their own packaging footprint.

Coca-Cola European Partners GB sustainability head Nick Brown said: “As well as supporting a more sustainable packaging system on campus, the trial will allow us to explore consumer behaviors and attitudes towards refillable bottles, with the goal to help students and staff across the university to reduce their personal packaging footprint.”

The dispensers offers over 100 drinks from a range of brands including Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke and Fanta, including low and zero calorie variants, caffeine free and still drinks.

Through the machines, students will have access to over 100 drinks including Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke and Fanta, including low and zero calorie variants, as well as still drinks.

The radio frequency identification (RFID) feature of the bottles allows for direct interaction with Validfill dispensing technology.

In addition to ensuing the payment is made, the technology helps CCEP to track how many times the refillable bottle is used.

The University of Reading officials Matt Tebbit, Catering and Bars Manager said in a joint statement: “Around 650,000 plastic bottled drinks are used on our campuses each year, so this partnership will help the University to reduce this considerably.

“The new drinks machines will cut traffic around campus and carbon emissions as refill cartridges can be delivered by courier rather than lorries.”

Image: The customizable and reusable bottles are manufactured by Whirley-Drinks Works. Photo: courtesy of Coca-Cola European Partners.