Reverse vending - feature articles

Innovation in software engineering: bringing reverse vending machines to life

A behind-the-scenes look at the culture of collaboration and innovation in TOMRA Collection’s software development team, and how their work powers the business’s industry-leading reverse vending machines.

Get to know reverse vending software

Norway’s deposit return scheme is world’s recycling role model

Regarded as the world role model for beverage container recovery and recycling, Norway’s deposit return system is one of the most efficient in the world.

Bags of empties in front of reverse vending machines

TOMRA's successful recycling initiatives at summer festivals

Successful recycling initiatives summer festivals

How TOMRA seeks to combat plastic pollution

The battle against plastic pollution in the environment and our oceans is high on the agenda for TOMRA Collection. Here’s why.

Youth Off The Streets uses container deposit refunds to fight youth homelessness

Leading not-for-profit youth services organization partners with the New South Wales deposit return scheme, raising over AU$120,000 for young people, their families and communities

Learn more about "Youth Off The Streets"

Image of returning containers in Latvia deposit return scheme

Deposit return scheme in Latvia achieves 80% return rate as it marks two-year anniversary

Latvia’s DRS for drink container recycling launched on 1 February 2022, with TOMRA providing reverse vending machines nationwide for the return of empty containers.

See Latvia's DRS results

Image of Marius Sommerseth shows Internet of Things in reverse vending machines

Internet of Things in reverse vending: The invisible tools powering smart recycling

TOMRA’s reverse vending machines have become more intelligent and efficient than ever – and at the heart of these solutions is the Internet of Things (IoT).

Get to know reverse vending IoT

Bottle being returned in deposit return schemes set up

What’s inside reverse vending machines?

A look at the cutting-edge technology inside reverse vending machines (RVMs) and TOMRA’s culture of engineering innovation.

Take a look inside

TOMRA Over-the-air and smart service concepts

Making recycling smarter: TOMRA and artificial intelligence

As the company hosts an internal AI Summit to explore the possibilities for AI, TOMRA shares its perspectives on AI and its applications for reverse vending.

6 tips on how to fundraise for your school through your local deposit return scheme

Collecting cans and bottles for recycling can make a big difference for your school, and for the planet. Learn how to organize a successful school fundraiser with your local deposit return system and start recycling for a cause!

Get the tips

Bottle bill states and how they work

Currently, 10 states throughout the U.S. have bottle bills (container deposit return laws) in place. Learn more about how these bottle bill states work, the scope of containers included, and the results they have achieved.

Deposit return scheme in Germany

Germany has the world’s largest and highest-performing deposit return scheme, achieving a record 98% return rate on eligible single-use drink containers, owing to the system’s meaningful deposit value and convenient network of return locations.

See Germany's results

The “Protect Our Planet” appeal raises AU$157,000 to protect Australian wildlife

Together with Return and Earn and Containers for Change, TOMRA partnered with the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Bush Heritage Australia to encourage recyclers to help protect Australia’s natural habitats and native species.

Learn more about "Protect Our Planet"

How to reduce plastics in nature with your everyday habits

As we all continue to learn more about plastic pollution in nature, the statistics and images can sometimes be overwhelming.

Reducing the environmental footprint of TOMRA reverse vending machines

Christina Ek, Project Manager at TOMRA Collection, shares some insight into TOMRA's ongoing sustainability journey and efforts to minimize the environmental impact of TOMRA reverse vending machines.

Collaboration for tomorrow's world

Tove Andersen, President and CEO at TOMRA, calls for greater collaboration between TOMRA, our customers, and our partners, explaining that increased cooperation is essential to making tomorrow’s world more sustainable.

Family picking up bottle litter on beach

6 tips for a summer with a lower footprint

As you leave your footprints behind at the beach, you should also consider what footprint your summer activities leave behind. Here are some tips for summer!

Start your summer

Person wrapped in plastic standing on a ledge with blue sky behind them

The ups and downs of the MET Gala's "green carpet"

This year’s MET Gala showcased recycled materials in decorations and clothing. While this may seem like a win for sustainability, it's important to consider the downstream consequences of these choices.

Sensor technology in reverse vending

A look at TOMRA’s advanced collection, sorting and processing solutions that enable the circular economy – with sensor technology at their heart.

Get to know sensors

Family returning large bag of containers to TOMRA "1 reverse vending machine

Why high-volume recyclers can be high-value customers

TOMRA examines how recycling habits around drink container returns impact shopping behavior

Get to know high-volume recyclers

Children’s choir raises money through drink container deposits to spread song to the community

Community choir uses bottle donations to organize trips and concerts

Meet Tempo Tweensing

Young recyclers have digital experience high on agenda, research reveals

Recycling trends: TOMRA examines how recycling habits around drink container returns impact shopping behavior

Get to know youth recyclers

Honor Flight Syracuse honors American veterans with the support of fundraising drives

A proud sponsor of the Honor Flight mission, Bottle & Can Retrieval Centers (TOMRA Collection US) have supported Honor Flight for the past two years with a fundraising event in the spring and fall.

Meet Honor Flight

Recycler donating to Aitan Lapsi on TOMRA reverse vending machine

Estonian children’s charity, Aitan Lapsi, uses deposit refund donations to support Ukrainian children

Following the onset of the war in Ukraine, the Estonian children’s charity, Aitan Lapsi, has shifted their focus to support Ukrainian children by gathering donations from container deposit refunds for the Ukrainian Culture Center in Tallinn.

estonia-aitan-lapsi

Animal Welfare League New South Wales receives nearly AU$100,000 from recyclers donating containers to help animals in need

Animal Welfare League partnered with the Return and Earn container deposit scheme and TOMRA to encourage recyclers to help animals in need by returning their drink containers and donating some of their deposit refunds.

Meet the Animal Welfare League

Royal flying doctor service brings medical care to Australia’s remote communities

Woman feeding bottles in the reverse vending machine

Slovakia exceeds return-rate targets for beverage containers as new deposit return scheme marks first anniversary

Slovaks have returned three quarters of a billion beverage containers, with a return rate over 70% — exceeding the goal of 60% set for the first year of the new deposit return scheme.

See Slovakia's results

Santa Claus returning containers to TOMRA R1

10 tips for celebrating the holiday season with less waste

From holiday parties and decorations, to gifts and cards, here's how to celebrate while also reducing waste.

Start reducing holiday waste

Person walking to recycling center with bag of plastic bottles

A changing landscape: The history of deposit return schemes

We take a look at the history of deposit return schemes, and how these recycling programs for drink containers have evolved.

Learn the history

Reverse vending kiosk in New South Wales

New South Wales prevents billions of drink containers from entering litter stream through Return and Earn deposit return scheme

Following the introduction of the deposit scheme on 1 December 2017, the total beverage container return rate in New South Wales rose from 32% in 2017 to 65% in just over two years, redirecting containers from landfill or litter to recycling.

new-south-wales-deposit-return-scheme

A circle of plastic bottles at various stages of being crushed

What is rPET plastic?

A look at the beverage industry’s eco-friendly alternative to virgin PET

Get to know rPET plastic

10 ideas for a spooky season with less waste

From costumes and decorations, to trick-or-treats and the party, here are tips on how to celebrate while also reducing waste.

See the Halloween tips

Harald Henriksen, EVP, Head of TOMRA Collection

More than just machines: contributing to an important global effort

Harald Henriksen believes that TOMRA Collection has the opportunity to make an enormous impact in the world, to reduce plastic pollution and the associated emissions, and to empower communities to take action.

Hear from Harald

Key elements of high-performing deposit return systems: #9 - Recycled content requirements

TOMRA explains the importance of recycled content requirements in deposit return schemes. Read part nine of the System Spotlight series.

drs-9-recycled-content-requirements

"Containers 4 Kids" recycling appeal brightens lives of sick kids

The appeal raised money for Starlight Children’s Foundation, turning empty drink containers into much-needed support for the families of sick kids.

A wedding plaque that says Frederikke and Pablo' s wedding

Norwegian couple pay for their wedding by returning bottles and cans

Policies, pollution and people: The rising global demand for deposit return schemes

Find out why deposit return schemes are becoming more popular in response to the growth of plastic pollution and rising recycling costs.

Rising demand for deposit return schemes

Alexis Bowen,from The Bin Chicken recycling initiative

Deposit hero collects drink containers to provide food pantry to local community

What started as an exercise to clean up the neighborhood developed into an opportunity to help the local community.

Happy consumers return their used beverage containers at a reverse vending machine

What happens to a used beverage container when you return it for recycling?

What happens to a used beverage container when you return it for recycling

Who is TOMRA?

So, you know TOMRA provides reverse vending machines to collect drink containers for recycling, but did you know that TOMRA does even more things that help preserve the environment?

New survey shows deposit return system is exceeding all expectations

A recent survey conducted by TOMRA in March 2022 shows a decisive majority of Slovaks participates and deposits their beverage containers regularly. This is a result of high consumer awareness and satisfaction, which drives the number of beverage containers collected for recycling. This success is made possible in part by responsible consumers willing to adopt new habits for a higher cause.

Inserting container into reverse vending machine

50 years of TOMRA's reverse vending innovation

As TOMRA marks 50 years in business, we take a look back at how TOMRA spawned an industry and the company’s legacy of innovation in the reverse vending space.

See the innovations

Key elements of high-performing deposit return systems: #8 - Reinvestment of unredeemed deposits and material revenue

TOMRA explains the importance of reinvesting unredeemed deposits and material revenue in Deposit Return Schemes. Read part eight of the System Spotlight series.

How does plastic end up in the ocean and what can be done about it?

Plastic remains one of the most pressing challenges facing our oceans. Where does this plastic come from? And how does it end up in the seas?

Microplastics in the ocean

What are they, why are there microplastics in the ocean, and what action can we take?

microplastics in the ocean

TOMRA employee at The Arc Eastern Connecticut

The Arc Eastern Connecticut's redemption program supports the community and environment

The Arc Eastern Connecticut is a non-profit organization supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and their families. But the organization doesn’t only provide meaningful services – it also helps protect the environment in Connecticut.

The Arc Eastern Connecticut supports community and environment

Louis Bouwmeester receiving defibrillator

Deposit hero returns 25,000 cans to raise money for vital medical equipment in local community

Local litter collector Louis Bouwmeester used the local deposit return system to raise money to buy a defibrillator to support safety and health in his neighborhood.
23 May 2022

netherlands-louis-bouwmeester

Family returning containers to reverse vending machine

How deposit return systems reduce carbon emissions

Drinks containers made from recycled materials have a smaller carbon footprint than those made from scratch. By keeping high-quality materials in a recycling loop, deposit return systems work to avoid carbon emissions in a number of ways.

How deposit return systems reduce carbon emissions

Blog the effects of fast fashion

Most people know that over-consumption is harmful to the environment. Clothing is no exception, but we still buy loads of it each year. While it’s unrealistic to expect people to stop buying new clothes entirely, lessening our consumption and making mindful choices can make a difference for the planet.

Key elements of high-performing deposit return systems: #7 - Extended Producer Responsibility financing

In this System Spotlight article series, TOMRA provides a deep dive into the best practices of high-performing container deposit return schemes.

Only 2% of plastic packaging is recycled in a closed loop. What aboutthe other 98%?

The demand for plastic continues to grow and, currently, only 2% of plastic packaging is kept in a closed loop. What about the other 98% and what can be done to support a plastics circular economy?

Containers in TOMRA Expert line bulk company

Who pays for a deposit return system

A deposit return system for drink container recycling is a form of Extended Producer Responsibility. Who pays for a deposit return system, and how is it funded?

What is a bottle bill?

Around the world, demand is growing for countries to increase their recycling rates for bottles and cans as a means to fight litter, ocean plastic, and reduce recycling costs. Learn more about what bottle bills are and how they work to ensure container recycling.

How marine debris transports species to foreign shores

Marine debris is one of the largest ecological challenges facing the world today and
poses a grave threat to underwater and coastal ecosystems, as well as to human health.

Key elements of high-performing deposit return systems: #6 -Container deposit markings for consumers and manual returns, barcodes foraccurate accounting

Consumer using Red Cross recycling lottery

The Red Cross recycling lottery becomes pillar of support for humanitarian work

Key elements of high-performing deposit return systems: #5 -separately charged and fully refundable deposits

Containers to pay for her dream wedding

image of kids playing with plastic bottles

8 resolutions for the New Year

Bring environmentally-friendly actions into your everyday life, and get the New Year off to a greener start with these tips.

ring in the new year

Key elements of high-performing deposit return systems: #4 -convenient redemption system for consumers

Key elements of high-performing deposit return systems: #3 -return-rate target

"Bottles can change lives" recycling appeal supports Australians during Covid-19

Key elements of high-performing deposit return systems:#2 – minimum deposit value

Girls wearing gloves while using reverse vending machines

Cans For A Cause empowers youth recycling heroes

Gazton the recycling dog returning containers

Gazton the recycling dog collects 10 000 Swedish crowns in container deposit refunds

Exxpedition research voyages measure and raise awareness of ocean plastic impacts

The 10-cent recycling kid makes a thriving business by collecting drink containers

Key elements of high-performing deposit return systems: #1 -broad scope of beverages and containers

Family returning bottles at TOMRA reverse vending machine

10 ways to get kids involved in drink container recycling

Inspire future recycling revolutionaries by getting kids involved in recycling bottles and cans. Motivating kids to recycle can be a great way of teaching them about the environment.

10-cent Tom contributes to climate action by collecting beverage containers

What is circular economy?

The circular economy is transforming the way we use and reuse resources, reducing waste and improving the sustainability of our planet. But what is the circular economy, and how does it work?

mom and kid using TOMRA T90 reverse vending machine

6 tips for preparing your drink containers for recycling

Recycling is a great way to help the environment, because it helps keep our planet clean and keeps our resources in a loop of continuous reuse. This reduces our reliance on raw materials for producing new containers, and ensures fewer containers end up discarded in oceans, streets and landfills

Great Pacific Garbage Patch and ocean trash gyres

Take a deep dive

pacific-trash-gyre

Image of user scanning myTOMRA app at reverse vending machine

How to use the myTOMRA app

Find out more about how the myTOMRA app lets you get electronic payout of your recycling refund, find your nearest returns point, and track your recycling achievements.

Get to know myTOMRA

Cans for koalas recycling appeal helps Australian wildlife recover from devastating bushfires

Waste is an old-fashioned concept says TOMRA

Earth Overshoot Day announcement highlights need for circular economy for resource sustainability

"Bottles for the bush" appeal aids rural communities during Australia’s devastating bushfires and drought

Put recycling to work for you, together with TOMRA

Maximizing the positive impact of beverage container recycling for your customers, your business and the planet

5 ways the circular economy is reducing waste and increasing value for people and the planet

The circular economy is transforming the way we use and reuse resources, reducing waste and shifting our lives in a more sustainable direction. Here are five examples of circular economies that are transforming industries and already in action across the globe, including container deposit schemes for closed-loop recycling.

First official Seabin launches in Sydney harbour to clean up marina litter

By land and by sea why the fight against plastic pollution is just as important on our own home turf

To mark World Environment Day, TOMRA looks at the issues surrounding land-based plastic waste and how it is damaging both our wildlife and the environment.

TOMRA employees collecting waste on beaches

Turning off the tap for rising marine litter

A million plastic bottles are sold every minute. TOMRA has made it its mission to stop them reaching the ocean.

How European policymakers can create a circular economy

There has been a seismic shift in public attitudes to waste and recycling recently, and policymakers have been implementing ambitious targets and new regulation all over the world. The European Union is no exception, having announced a series of new laws that will undoubtedly change the way EU Member States recycle and view waste in the future.

The return-to-retail collection model for container deposit return systems

A guide to closed-loop recycling

A staggering 1.4 trillion cans and bottles are used across the globe every year, but shockingly only 9% are being recycled. 14% are incinerated and an even larger proportion of the world’s plastic bottles and cans are going into our oceans, streets and landfills.

How do container deposit schemes work?

Around the world, demand is growing for countries to increase their recycling rates for bottles and cans, as a means to fight litter and ocean plastic and conserve scarce resources. To meet this challenge, many regions are considering container deposit schemes, which see up to almost 100% of all drink containers returned for recycling. Learn more about what container deposit schemes are and how they work.

Minister of the Environment for Lithuania recycling

Lithuania exceeds container return rate expectations

Clean up the wild gets its start with the New South Wales container deposit scheme

A guide to Clean Loop Recycling

Beverage containers recycled through reverse vending machines are collected and sorted without contamination from other types of waste. This ensures that they can be recycled into new bottles and cans again and again. This is a process we call Clean Loop Recycling.

Interview with the TOMRA Founders

As part of TOMRA’s 45th anniversary celebrations this year, we spoke to co-founders and brothers Tore and Petter Planke about the early history of the company. Check out our video interview with the TOMRA founders.

T-90 reverse vending machine at Central ShopRite Michigan

Central ShopRite makes recycling clean and engaging for customers

Return and Earn rolls out across New South Wales

People can cash in their eligible drink containers from today for a 10-cent refund as part of the State’s Return and Earn container deposit scheme, Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton has announced.

Reverse Vending 101: A beginner’s guide

Wondering what a reverse vending machine is, how it works, or what happens to your bottles and cans after you return them for recycling? Learn more in this introduction to reverse vending

Why we must stop seeing plastic as waste

Reuse and new mindsets are vital in achieving a circular economy

Image of TOMRA R2 reverse vending machine

What's the difference between curbside collection and reverse vending machine recycling?

Components from inside a TOMRA T9 reverse vending machines

Project Boomerang

When we throw things away, we want them to come right back so that they can be used again, just like a boomerang. In line with this thinking, Project Boomerang is the start of an exciting journey to increase the share of recycled content in TOMRA reverse vending machines and enable more material flows to enter circular loops.