Reverse vending - feature articles

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

Norwegian couple pay for their wedding by returning bottles and cans

Containers to pay for her dream wedding

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.
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Recycling hero, 10-cent Tom contributes to climate action by collecting beverage containers

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

From Halloween to Hallow-green: eco-friendly ideas for celebrating the spooky season
Getting ready for Halloween? From costumes and decorations, to trick-or-treats and the party, here are tips on how to celebrate in a fun and sustainable way!
See the Halloween tips

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

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

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.
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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.
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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

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

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

Under the microscope: Microplastics in the ocean
What are they, why are there microplastics in the ocean, and what action can we take?
Under the microscope - Microplastics in the ocean

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.
50 years reverse vending innovation

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

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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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.
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poses a grave threat to underwater and coastal ecosystems, as well as to human health.

Waste is an old-fashioned concept says TOMRA
Earth Overshoot Day announcement highlights need for circular economy for resource sustainability
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Cans for a cause empowers youth recycling heroes

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

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.
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Exxpedition research voyages measure and raise awareness of ocean plastic impacts

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.
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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?
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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?
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How TOMRA seeks to combat ocean plastic
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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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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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.
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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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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.
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Key elements of high-performing deposit return systems:#2 – minimum deposit value

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

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

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

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

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

Central ShopRite makes recycling clean and engaging for customers

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

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

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

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

Lithuania exceeds container return rate expectations

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

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

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.
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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
23 May 2022

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?
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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.
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Why we must stop seeing plastic as waste
Reuse and new mindsets are vital in achieving a circular economy
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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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8 ways to be more sustainable in the new year
It’s never been easier to bring environmentally-friendly actions into your everyday life. Get the new year off to a green start with these tips to help you be more sustainable.
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The Red Cross recycling lottery becomes pillar of support for humanitarian work

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

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.
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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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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

Have yourself a merry, green Christmas
10 tips for a more eco-friendly holiday season
Make your Christmas green

Sensor technology: How tiny technology makes a big environmental impact
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

What is rPET plastic?
A look at the beverage industry’s eco-friendly alternative to virgin PET
Get to know rPET plastic

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

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

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.
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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