Drinking container in nature

Clean Loop Recycling

Worldwide, around 1.4 trillion bottles and cans are used every year. While some of these containers are recycled, too many of them end up in streets, oceans, landfills and incinerators. At TOMRA, we strive to reduce society’s reliance on raw materials. By making it easy, convenient, and rewarding for people to return their used containers, we enable bottles, cans, and other packaging to be continually recycled in a Clean Loop.

With a reverse vending machine, you get to collect the valuable resources before they get mixed up with other contaminants. If you mix them up with household or industrial waste, you not only have to sort them, you have to cleanse them too.

A man standing in front of a blue circular background in an office building
Steve Han President, TOMRA Korea
Return rate of drinks containers in Norway

When it comes to Clean Loop Recycling, Norway is leading the way!

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. With more than 92% of containers returned to reverse vending machines and around 6% collected through alternative channels, less than 1% of all beverage containers in Norway are littered!

READ THE DEEP DIVE

Frequently asked questions

  • Bottle being returned in deposit return schemes set up
    Bottle being returned in deposit return schemes set up

    How do I use a reverse vending machine?

    It's an easy, fast, and convenient way to recycle. If you want to know how to use a reverse vending machine, you've come to the right place!
  • Retailer showing consumer how to use reverse vending machine
    Retailer showing consumer how to use reverse vending machine

    Where do my drinks containers go?

    What happens after you put a bottle in a reverse vending machine? That's a great question. It depends where you are and what kind of recycling facilities are available. 
  • Illustration of DRS white paper globe and containers
    Illustration of DRS white paper globe and containers

    What's DRS and how can it help?

    Deposit return systems provide a simple and smart solution to cutting down waste and reducing plastic pollution.
  • Diverse sizes of PET bottles
    Diverse sizes of PET bottles

    How can deposit return systems reduce carbon emissions?

    Drinks containers made from recycled materials have a smaller carbon footprint than those made from scratch.
  • Plastic pollution in ocean
    Plastic pollution in ocean

    Yes, it's a big problem.

    That's why we're working to do something about it!
  • plastic bag hanging on tree leaf in forest
    plastic bag hanging on tree leaf in forest

    It's the key to tackling the plastic pollution crisis at scale

    The UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution provides a unique opportunity to bring about a much-needed transformation in the way we manage and recycle plastic waste.
  • Banner promoting business coalition for a global plastics treaty

    We're part of a coalition of businesses calling for a strong Global Plastics Treaty

    Convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF, the coalition brings together businesses and financial institutions committed to supporting the development of an ambitious, effective and legally binding UN treaty to end plastic pollution.

    Read about it
  • Smille woman with recyclable bottles

    Policies, pollution and people

    Countries around the world are committing to more aggressive measures in response to the growing plastic pollution problem. Deposit return systems, in combination with reverse vending technology, give policymakers, retailers, and consumers the power to play their part and make an impact.

    Check it out

Get in the Loop

Final thoughts

  • Shoreline filled with plastic bottles

    Only 3% of the beverage containers produced globally are recycled

    Want to help us capture the other 97%?
    Work with us!
  • TOMRA beach clean-up plastic pollution

    How does plastic end up in the ocean?

    Most of it originates on land.
    SHOW ME
  • Image of boats moving through plastic pollution

    Let's turn off the tap for rising marine litter

    By 2050 there will be more plastic in the sea than fish.
    READ MORE
  • Young family walking along a beach and smiling

    For the people of tomorrow

    Later is too late. We can't afford to wait! 
    TELL ME MORE