Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Rebecca Smithers

SodaStream’s recycling incentive has left a nasty taste

Initiative to avoid using plastic bottles crushed when SodaStream argued about a deposit.
Initiative to avoid using plastic bottles crushed when SodaStream argued about a deposit. Photograph: PhotoCuisine RF/Alamy

I have had challenges reclaiming deposits from SodaStream. If you pay a £10 deposit for an online order of a gas cartridge they commit you’ll get it back when you return it empty for recycling. However, on four occasions I have had to chase and in three cases they insisted they did not owe me anything. The latest wrangle went on for several weeks. I use SodaStream to avoid using plastic bottles of sparkling water. But all this hassle is leaving a nasty taste. RZ, Arundel, West Sussex

We wonder if SodaStream is struggling to cope with all the new business triggered by the backlash against single-use plastic water bottles. It’s odd it offers an incentive to encourage recycling and then customers have to jump through hoops to get their money back.

It says: “We have a dedicated, UK-based team to answer customer inquiries. We aim to respond within two working days though, on occasion, we don’t provide the level of service we aspire to. We’re employing more people and have recently invested in new technology to help us deliver the high standard our customers expect and deserve.”

You are advised to retain receipts so it can investigate if things do not go smoothly. We understand your refund has been processed, and it has apologised.

We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at consumer.champions@theguardian.com or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters is subject to terms and conditions

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.