Reverse vending machine

A reverse vending machine (RVM) is a machine that allows a person to insert a used or empty glass bottle, plastic bottle, or aluminum can in exchange for a reward. After inserting the recyclable item, it is then compacted, sorted, and analyzed according to the weight, materials, and brand using the universal product code on the bottle or can. Once the item has been scanned and approved, it is then crushed and sorted into the proper storage space for the classified material. Upon processing the item, the machine rewards people with incentives, such as cash or coupons.

The first prototype of a reverse vending machine was established in 1972 by TOMRA. With nations increasingly adopting policies concerning recycling and sustainability, reverse vending machines have become the standard in areas with stringent recycling policies. To date, there are more than one hundred thousand RVMs spread globally, located in countries including the United Kingdom, Russia, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Australia, Canada, and the United States.

On 13 September 1920, the first patent for an 'Empty Container Return and Handling Machine' was registered in America using a coin return as compensation by Elmer Jones and Sue Walker. This machine was referred to as a "Bottle Return Machine" (BRM) during that time. The first working BRM took approximately thirty years from the first patent to be invented and manufactured. This whole process was conducted by "Wicanders from Sweden," with the machine being used throughout the 1950s. In 1962, an evolved "Automatic Bottle Return Machine" was established by Aage Tveitan. After the invention, the machine was manufactured en-masse by the innovator's firm Arthur Tveitan ASA in Norway and distributed worldwide.

In 1994, a three-in-one machine focused on bottle recycling was conceived by Kansmacker and is still being used today in some states within the U.S. In the United Kingdom, the Reverse Vending Corporation established the first independent return ready Reverse Vending Machines. In 2018, RVM Systems paid for the assets and trademarks of the United Kingdom's top reverse vending company, Reverse Vending Corporation. Now these machines are standard across the United Kingdom.

The operations of the reverse vending machine (RVM) are relatively straightforward in that when the recycler brings the used beverage bottle to the machine, a "receiving opening" is designed precisely to accept the bottles. The opening ensures that the device can take only one container at a time. However, on older systems of the RVM, the recycler has to open a small door on the machine placing the container in a pan before the door closes, with the process being repeated all over again. After that, the recycled bottle automatically turns and is then scanned by a UPC ("Universal Product Code") scanner. The scanner's primary purpose is to scan the UPC located within the recycled container. The UPC system is different from the previous methods RVMs used which analyzed the shape and form of the item while using other identification constraints to ensure the container is matched against the system's database substituting the barcode.

Up-to-date machines utilize artificial intelligence as the contemporary "recognition layer" rather than other identification segments. Aco Recycling is the first company to develop AI Recognition Module for Reverse Vending Machines, machines has been already deployed to deposit and non deposit countries. After the recycled item is scanned and matched to the system's database, it is then considered an approved item. Recyclable items are quickly processed and crushed to ensure size reduction, to prevent leaks of any liquids inside the bottles, and finally, to boost the machine's storage volume. In addition, refillable containers are manually handled and returned to the bottling firms. According to a study by the New York City Housing Authority, participants reported that the reverse vending machine was a more flexible option for recycling and convenience purposes. Furthermore, these machines are seen as a contributor to the circular economy as people are motivated to participate in recycling initiatives due to monetary benefits.

A back-room handling system can allow the use of different bin types.

The reverse vending machine attempts to solve the efficiency problem of sorting waste to enhance the recycling process. Reverse vending machines work by permitting the user to insert the recycled containers within a specific aperture inside the machine, after which the container is compressed to reduce its size and allow more to be stored within the machine. After the machine compresses the items, it sorts them for storage purposes, after which they will be delivered to companies responsible for recycling them.