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.
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TOMRA's successful recycling initiatives at 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.
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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
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
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
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.
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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.
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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
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.
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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
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
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
New South Wales prevents billions of drink containers from entering litter stream through Return and Earn deposit return scheme
Learn how the deposit return scheme in New South Wales transformed recycling habits, doubling beverage container recycling rates and significantly reducing litter across the state.
new-south-wales-deposit-return-scheme
What is rPET plastic?
A look at the beverage industry’s eco-friendly alternative to virgin PET
Get to know rPET plastic
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
What happens to a used beverage container when you return it for recycling?
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
Microplastics in the ocean
What are they, why are there microplastics in the ocean, and what action can we take?
microplastics in the ocean
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
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?
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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.
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Container markings and barcodes: building effective deposit return systems
Return to retail: simplifying recycling for consumers
The 10-cent recycling kid makes a thriving business by collecting drink containers
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
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Return-to-Retail: the collection model for effective 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.
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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.
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Lithuania exceeds container return rate expectations
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.
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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
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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.
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