1 Supermarkets and Convenience Stores
Supermarkets and convenience stores are the main application scenarios of smart reward RVMs, because they are the main places
where people buy beverages and generate empty bottles. Many large supermarket chains have begun to promote such
machines, such as Pick n Pay in South Africa, which has deployed 30 RVMs nationwide, diverting more than 480,000 items from
landfills since the pilot launch in 2018. TOMRA, the leader in the RVM industry, has deployed more than 91,000 machines in more
than 60 global markets, capturing more than 53 billion used beverage containers every year. In these scenarios, the machine is
usually placed at the entrance or exit of the store, and the rewards are linked to the store's membership system, such as coupons
and points that can be used for shopping, which not only stimulates users to recycle bottles but also increases store foot traffic
and customer satisfaction.
2 Schools and Office Buildings
Schools and office buildings have a concentrated population, and the demand for beverages is large, which is an important scene
for bottle recycling. In schools, smart reward RVMs can not only realize the recycling of bottles but also carry out environmental
protection education for students, guiding them to establish the awareness of resource conservation and environmental
protection. By setting up reward mechanisms such as points exchange for stationery, students' enthusiasm for recycling is
effectively mobilized. In office buildings, the machine is placed in the lobby or pantry, and the reward is mainly cash rebates or
digital points, which is convenient for office workers to recycle bottles during breaks, improving the recycling rate of bottles in
the office area.
3 Communities and Public Places
Communities are the main place where residents generate domestic waste, and placing smart reward RVMs in communities can
facilitate residents to recycle bottles at their doorstep. The reward mechanism is usually combined with the community's
environmental protection activities, such as exchanging points for daily necessities, which stimulates residents' participation. In
public places such as parks, stations, and scenic spots, the machine is placed in the rest area, which not only solves the problem of
random disposal of empty bottles but also provides convenience for tourists to recycle, maintaining the cleanliness of the public
environment. The practical effect shows that the use of smart reward RVMs can increase the bottle recycling rate by 30%-50%
compared with traditional recycling methods, effectively reducing environmental pollution and saving resources.
FAQ
1.Which bottles/cans can I return using this machine?
Generally, recyclable standard-sized plastic beverage bottles, aluminum cans, and glass bottles are accepted.
The specific acceptance range depends on the machine program settings and the local deposit system.
Generally, the bottles must have specific barcodes or labels, and be of a designated brand and capacity.
Containers that are not beverages, severely damaged or contaminated are usually not accepted.
2.How much money can I get? How can I receive the money?
The amount is in accordance with the local deposit standard (for example, in Germany it is usually 0.25 euros).
The refund methods are diverse: it can be exchanged for supermarket vouchers, cash, donated to charity organizations,
or deposited into mobile payment accounts/member cards. The specific method depends on the regulations of the machines
and the merchants where they are placed.
3.Is the operation complicated? What preparations need to be made in advance?
It's very simple. Usually, you just need to put the undeflated, capped bottles or cans into the recycling slot.
The machine will automatically identify and process them. No registration is required in advance,
but if you want to earn points or receive electronic rebates, you might need to scan your membership card or use the relevant app.
4.Where do the recycled bottles and cans go? Were they really recycled?
Yes. The bottles and cans collected by the recycling machine will be sorted and transported to specialized recycling plants.
After undergoing processes such as cleaning, crushing, and melting, they will be transformed into PET pellets,
aluminum ingots or glass chips, which are ultimately used to manufacture new packaging or other products,
thus achieving a true closed-loop cycle.
