Reverse vending

A co-operative venturebetween Stirlingshire Vending and Reverse Vending Corporation brings reVend& Spend, a product innovation that utilizes advanced technology toidentify, sort, collect and process used beverage containers. Reverse vending machines(RVMs) are as the name suggests, vending machines that allow consumers todeposit used beverage containers. Instead of spewing out junk food, the machinesinvite customers to insert their trash for recycling. Once a customer depositsa used container, the machine sorts it and crushes, compresses or shreds,reading a container's barcode to determine the type of material. Capacityvaries per model, but stand alone machines hold 1000 cans and/or PET bottlesbefore needing to be emptied. The machines run on about 40 watts of electricityper day. The basic premise behind theconcept is that consumers get the feel good factor by doing something for theenvironment in an easy and efficient way. Machines can come fitted with a modemthat monitors the success of the machine and can publish recycling statistics.In the future, award schemes could be set up whereby organizations/schools canbe recognized and awarded for how much they've recycled. Machines can also be fittedto dispense vouchers which customers can collect and cash in as further incentiveto reVend. Ideal for workplaces or schools, it's a great way to excite childrenabout recycling.

Source: reversevending.co.ukAdded: 12 October 2006