Sustainability Vending Machines Blog

The Benefits of Reverse Vending Machines: Is it the Future of Recycling?

19 September 2023

Marketing Team

In a world where our planet needs all the help it can get, the vending machine industry has a vital role to play. But what exactly are reverse vending machines? Put simply, they’re innovative devices that empower users to easily recycle empty bottles and cans in exchange for a rewarding incentive. Unlike traditional recycling bins where individuals simply dispose of their recyclables, reverse vending machines sort and compact the materials on the spot, reducing litter and encouraging sustainable habits.

The concept behind reverse vending machines is simple: to promote recycling among the general public by providing a tangible reward in return for their eco-friendly actions. Beyond rewards, reverse vending machines champion a culture of recycling and reuse, contributing to reducing the environmental impact of single-use plastic. Let’s delve deeper into the topic of reverse vending machines.

The environmental impact of reverse vending machines

Reverse vending machines are key in reducing litter, as they provide a convenient and rewarding way for individuals to recycle on the spot, minimising the chance of discarded bottles and cans ending up as litter.

Additionally, they play an essential role in reducing landfill waste by diverting recyclables away from overflowing landfills and polluting incinerators, helping to conserve valuable landfill space. These machines also contribute significantly to conserving resources by effectively collecting and recycling materials. Lessening the need for the production of new resources and minimising the associated environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants from being released.

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How do reverse vending machines work?

The reverse vending machine operates through a series of steps. Once the recycler places an empty beverage container into the reverse vending machine, possibly after grabbing a drink from a cold drink vending machine, it will scan the item’s barcode identifying where it was manufactured. After the container is scanned and identified, it is processed into the database to keep track of how many containers are turned in. It is then crushed to a smaller size so that there is more storage capacity in the reverse vending machine. The recycler is then prompted with the option to choose which reward they want.

Once the storage capacity is full, the containers are collected and stored by hand to ensure that they are brought back to their respective recycling material company.

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What are the benefits of reverse vending machines?

• Encourages recycling: reverse vending machines provide a tangible incentive for individuals to recycle helping to make recycling easy and appealing to the public.
• Reduces waste: these machines help to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills by recycling materials that would otherwise be thrown away.
• Conserve resources: the recycling process used by these machines conserves far more resources such as water use and fossil fuel emissions when compared to manufacturing the container from scratch.
• Increases awareness: simply seeing a reverse vending machine when travelling around or noticing businesses getting involved with these schemes can help to build workplaces more focused on sustainable practices and reducing their carbon footprint.
• Improves efficiency: by using advanced technology, reverse vending machines can improve the efficiency of recycling by sorting the materials more quickly and accurately than traditional methods.

A woman selecting a packaged snack from a vending machine

The future of reverse vending machines

In an era of growing environmental consciousness, the popularity of reverse vending machines is only set to grow as more businesses see its worth in not only improving their green credentials and carbon footprint but also, in protecting the planet’s future resources.

While the UK does not currently have a nationwide return scheme, you can still find some reverse vending machines dotted around the country thanks to local supermarkets taking it upon themselves to have them installed.

• Morrisons & Tesco: in return for store points or a donation to a chosen charity, these two well-known supermarkets have installed a few machines in their stores to encourage consumer recycling
• Canary Wharf: As part of its ‘Breaking The Plastic Habit’ campaign, Canary Wharf implemented the first publicly accessible reverse vending machine

Tackling coffee cup waste

Shockingly these recent statistics reveal the current importance of working towards tackling our coffee cup waste.

• Disposable coffee cups with plastic linings can take 30 years to break down
• 7 million coffee cups are used daily in the UK
• Approximately 1 million single-use coffee cups are sent to landfill every minute

While there may not be a reverse vending machine specifically designed for coffee cups yet, there are still impactful ways your workplace can contribute to a greener environment. Proactive steps can be taken by offering reusable cups and mugs alongside your coffee vending machine. By doing so, not only is your workplace’s waste footprint reduced but it also sets a positive example for sustainability in your workplace. Even small actions like these can make a significant difference in our ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility.

In summary, reverse vending machines play a key role in motivating individuals to recycle through enticing incentives. They simultaneously deliver substantial environmental advantages, including waste reduction and the preservation of crucial resources. As businesses face increasing pressure to adopt eco-conscious practices, the rising popularity of reverse vending machines is only set to grow, marking a promising step towards a greener future. We encourage you to support and participate in reverse vending initiatives to collectively make a positive impact on our environment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marketing Team | Marketing

Passionate advocates for workplace health and wellbeing, our marketing team specialises in researching trends, providing insights, and noting workplace changes. Their blogs deliver actionable advice and innovative strategies for creating productive environments.