Australia introduces reverse vending

Wincor Nixdorf has launched reverse vending machines (RVM) in South Australia to support a goal to promote recycling and reduce littering. RVM allows for the identification, collecting, sorting and processing of used or empty bottles and cans in a convenient standalone system.

Consumers insert containers which are identified by an image camera, compacted and then sorted in an integrated container, which allows the crushed material to go straight to recycling depots. Consumers receive their cash deposit refunds, as part of the South Australian state government’s container deposit legislation, by scanning a receipt issued by the RVM in an adjacent cash machine.