Reverse Vending
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 10. 5.06
This writer got trashed for dumping on the Solar Powered Trash Compactor, which we objected to because it didn't recyle. That's why we love this idea of reverse vending machines for recycling which take it in, scan it to determine type of material involved, compacts or shreds it, and can dispense prizes or vouchers as incentives to recycle. "The basic premise behind the concept is that consumers get the ‘feel good factor’ by doing something for the environment in an easy and efficient way. Machines can come fitted with a modem that monitors the success of the machine and can publish recycling statistics. In the future, award schemes could be set up whereby organizations/schools can be recognized and awarded for how much they’ve recycled." The guy going through our blue box every garbage day knows this- separated waste has value and technology like this recovers it. Instead of relying on guilt or conscience it creates a rational incentive to recycle. Not as good as a deposit/return/re-use system but pretty impressive.::Reverse Vending via ::Springwise
The horizontal in-feed system allows the user to insert containers quickly and easily without having to worry about them falling over.
The bottle/can is then automatically rotated; the bottle/can is then scanned by a UPC Scanner, which scans the beverage container's UPC code. Once a container is scanned, identified (matched to database) and determined to be a participating container, it is processed and typically crushed to reduce its size to avoid spillages of liquid and to increase storage capacity. We can use material recognition instead/as well as bar code scanner when needed.
A large number of bottles/cans maybe received prior to the recycler obtaining the voucher. Any foreign objects or unsuitable materials are automatically rejected by the machine.
The recycler then receives a voucher, automatically dispensed by the RVMs, this printed voucher maybe redeemed in store at a supermarket, alternatively used towards the purchase a related incentive product.
The data acquisition capabilities of the machines are second to none, the software allows the data captured of bottle/can type, quantity, brand, to be accessed from a computer anywhere in the Country via an internal ISDN modem.
The data will highlight, quantities received, each hour, each day, each month, type of bottle/brand etc.
The RVM’s are accessible remotely, allowing updates, voucher details, bar code data bases etc to be updated via the internet from anywhere on the globe.
The RVM will also inform the maintenance company of any faults or if the machine requires attention via the internal ISDN modem and inform the operative if the large receptor container require emptying
Off-topic, but after thinking it over I reckon the solar powered trash compacter would be a pretty good move for a plastics recycling bin. My local council in the UK are mulling over recycling plastics and one of the big problems is the volume and how often they'd need to be emptied.
Interesting concept - I wonder what the math would be for charities on this? A lot of groups in the states collect can tabs and bottle caps and stuff. I wonder if something like this could be used to raise funds for charities while promoting recycling at the same time?
Great idea, but it's been around for awhile. I just remember Kappy's Liquor in Medford, MA - after a big college weekend we'd haul our empties in, feed the bottles one by one into their glass crusher, and get a cash voucher in exchange. Redeemable for cash inside, or, of course, in exchange for more beer. I still remember the mechanical crunch of breaking beer bottles, and the smell of sticky dried beer wafting up from the machine...
That is the most complicated rendition of a machine that we’ve had in New York grocery stores for 10 years. Much of New England, and New York, use the same bottle deposit system. The machines they accept plastic or glass bottles, and cans, they scan the upc bar and issue a receipt which is redeemable for CASH. As a kid in NY this his how I got money to buy candy.
Side note: A friend of mine visiting Spain noted how the deposit system can be negated. In Spain store clerks will not allow you to take a bottle out of the store, they want the deposit for themselves. If you want to take a drink with you, they give you a plastic sandwich bag and a straw. The sandwich bag in turn takes the bottles place in the dump.
In Greece, there are large structures(3 of these combined) which take glass, plastic, & metal, but which also take batteries, cellphones, and paper.You can take a receipt for cash, or press a button to donate to charity(at least, I think thats what I was doing) Satisfying crunch, lighted, and sometimes had music! Not sure if they were solar though...
I live in Spain. The comment of about Spain is a little confusing. How do they take a liquid out with a plastic bag? Are you saying that they put the liquid into a plastic sandwich container which they first take the sandwich out of? I have never seen this done in Spain. However, in most cafeterias and restaurants, people are usually expected (but not obliged) to leave the can or bottle of the drink they buy there. It is then the responsibility of the establishment owner to deal with these wastes.