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Report 3 of 5:
Cashing
In - Norway
Introduction
Globally, there are approximately 700 billion drink containers currently in circulation. In the United States alone, more than 100 billion units of aluminium cans and 15 billion units of lightweight, non-breakable plastic bottles are produced each year. As the demand for drinks increases, the need to find an effective way of dealing with the mountains of plastic cartons, can and bottles becomes more urgent.
Without organised systems for collecting back or incinerating used containers, they will ultimately end up in landfill sites or littering the environment. The sheer magnitude of raw materials and energy needed to produce these containers also represents an increasing threat to the world's supply of natural resources.
Public legislation plays an important role in encouraging re-use and recycling. Public services such as "curbside collection" of recyclable waste, central waste collection centres and energy efficient incinerators are a step in the positive direction. Better still, mandatory deposit/refund systems have proven that consumers are positively influenced by a monetary incentive to return empty containers for recycling.
Reverse vending machines
Reverse vending machines are a convenient way for consumers to return their empty beverage containers. They can be installed in practical locations, such as supermarkets and collection centres, and since they automate the handling process, they can be used at any time of the day, at the customer’s convenience. They also help to protect the environment by reducing litter and conserving valuable natural resources.
TOMRA
The Norwegian company, TOMRA, is a leading manufacturer and supplier of reverse vending machines, which are used to collect and identify used beverage containers for recycling or reuse from consumers, who in return receive a monetary refund. The company is the only manufacturer able to offer a complete product range for both refillable glass and plastic bottles, and non-refillable plastic and glass bottles, and containers such as cans.
When TOMRA pioneered the reverse vending machine business in 1972, the initial idea was to help supermarkets handle the return of empty beverage containers in a more cost-efficient manner, which would in turn allow them to provide their customers with better service. Over the years, the original concept has extended to encompass not only the efficient collection of used beverage containers from consumers, but also the entire chain of events whereby the containers end up at their final destination (at a re-cycling or bottling facility). This approach ensures that all parties involved in the process have gained some benefit:
- The consumer is rewarded with money.
- The supermarket saves time and money by having a reliable system handle the logistics of container return for them.
- The bottlers have an independent third party taking care of the complex logistics, transport and accounting involved in public or private deposit systems.
- The recyclers receive the waste material in the right form, at the right place, at the right time.
TOMRA’s product range
TOMRA designs and operates systems for recovering packaging for reuse and recycling. It has developed a comprehensive series of products to cater for the different needs of each supermarket and collection centre. The machines reduce the need for manual labour and time consuming inventory and cash control. The cost of the equipment varies between US$5,000 and US$15,000 depending on the types of waste to be processed.
Non-refillable containers
The company has devised a range of machines to deal with non-refillable containers. A continuous infeed provides fast and easy container insertion while a high-speed barcode reader ensures fast container recognition and reliable handling.
One model compacts or shreds plastic bottles and sorts different coloured plastic into separate storage tubs while another collects whole glass bottles in a soft drop tub or crushes them. It also sorts different coloured glass into separate storage tubs. A third type of machine compacts cans and is capable of detecting and separating steel and aluminium. At the more complex end of its range, the company has a model which compacts or shreds plastic bottles and cans into separate storage tubs and can also accept refillable glass containers for storage in a separate tub.
Refillable containers
Tomra’s machine series for refillable containers is modular and can be easily integrated into a variety of specially designed facilities for further sorting and storage of the returned containers.
The more advanced combination machines use video technology for reliable shape recognition of both bottles and crates and have a horizontal infeed to simplify container insertion. When equipped with barcode readers, they can also accept non-refillable containers. The crate section employs a laser scanner for accurate shape recognition.
The basic combination machine for both bottles and crates uses infrared light reflection for shape recognition.
Mini machines
A mini machine for refillable containers is compact in size and can be easily built into a variety of specially designed systems for further sorting and storage of the returned containers. It transports bottles smoothly via a conveyor belt to the backroom for sorting and accumulation.
Mini machines for non-refillable containers are easy to use and give container handling based on barcode recognition. The design offers the option between a wall-mounted unit or free standing model, that can be placed anywhere. These machines are designed for use in smaller premises where the numbers of containers returned are.
The Solo compacts non-refillable plastic bottles to reduce the storage space needed but identifies refillable plastic bottles which it sorts into a separate storage tub. The Minican compacts cans and can detect both steel and aluminium. The Duo compacts non-refillable plastic bottles and cans into separate storage tubs. It is also capable of detecting both steel and aluminium.
Advantages of reverse vending machines
Benefits to the Consumer
- A faster, more convenient way to dispose of their empty beverage containers.
- A more reliable method of reclaiming deposits, as the machine will always identify the container correctly and thereby issue the correct refund.
- The opportunity to experience new, exciting consumer promotions on or around the reverse vending machine.
Benefits to the Retailer
- Automated collection and sorting of returned containers saves time and money.
- Sanitation problems are reduced, since containers are sorted and stored in a more orderly fashion.
- One-way containers are crushed, compacted or shredded, which not only reduces the need for storage space, but also eliminates the risk of fraudulent multiple redemption of containers.
- Accurate container identification ensures that the correct refund is paid out.
- Reliable accounting features ensure that the system cannot be cheated.
- TOMRA's reverse vending machines and store design concepts offer the retailer's customers a faster, more convenient and reliable way to dispose of their empties. This helps give an overall good impression of the store and can lead to increased store traffic.
- Value-added consumer services, such as couponing and fund-raising make returning empties a far more enjoyable and rewarding experience and help give the store a competitive advantage.
Benefits to the Distributor:
- TOMRA is able to offer advanced data administration of the materials and money handled by the system. This central administration provides reliable logistical information to both distributors and retailers and considerably reduces their workload with regard to billing, cash management and reporting.
- TOMRA can also offer a turn-key solution to total materials handling, which is particularly attractive in markets with high percentages of one-way containers. This includes far more cost-efficient pick-up services and further processing of the material before final delivery to the recyclers.
- TOMRA's uniquely reliable container recognition system ensures that each distributor's containers are clearly accounted for. The advanced deposit accounting system provides each distributor with information about how many of their scrap containers were redeemed, as well as reimbursing them for the scrap value.
For further information, please contact:
Caroline Quinn
TOMRA EUROPE AS
Marketing Communications Department
Drengsrudhagen 2, N-1385 Asker
P.O. Box 278, N-1372 Asker
Norway
Tel: +47 66 79 92 03
Fax: +47 66 79 92 30
E-mail: caroline.quinn@tomra.no
Website: http://www.tomra.no/ |
Intermediate Technology Development Group would like to acknowledge TOMRA, and in particular Caroline Quinn, for providing the original material on reverse vending machines.
This document is an output from a project funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for the benefit of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the DFID.
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