HIGHLAND Spring is trialling a 100%-recycled plastic “eco” bottle to gauge public reaction, in what it says is a UK first in its category.

The Perthshire company said the trial would start this month with the launch of a 500-millilitre Highland Spring eco bottle in selected Tesco stores in Scotland. This will be followed by a launch in Sainsbury’s stores in England.

Highland Spring said the eco bottle would also be available at the Fever-Tree Tennis Championships at Queen’s Club.

It noted the bottle was made from 100%-recycled plastic. It emphasised the label and cap were not made from recycled plastic.

Highland Spring noted the bottle, label and cap were 100%-recyclable.

It said: “The results are set to help measure the public’s perception of recycled plastics and their reaction to a 100%-recycled plastic water bottle. The insights will feed in to category-wide strategies to help eliminate plastic waste.”

Highland Spring chief executive Les Montgomery said: “Plastic is a valuable resource that shouldn’t be treated as waste and we encourage everyone to get involved in this trial. Tell us what you think of the eco bottle and then recycle it afterwards to help keep the circle of recycled plastics going.

He added: “This is a significant step that is part of a longer-term road map to eliminating plastic waste as more and more consumers recycle their plastic bottles and we can source recycled plastic in the quantities and quality we need.”