Recycling aluminium solutions has become a significant issue, especially in high-traffic convenience stores. In partnership with Olyns Recycling, Coca-Cola has introduced a reverse vending machine that collects and sorts plastic, aluminium, and glass packaging during the National Association for Convenience Stores show.
The reverse vending machine has AI-powered recycling technology, typically placed in high-traffic indoor locations. Users can download the Coca-Cola app to gain rewards, view their recycling activity, and redeem bottle deposits in applicable states.
The reverse vending machine collects different types of materials like plastic, glass, and aluminium and sorts them into collection bins inside the machine. Once the cube is nearly full, Coca-Cola is notified, and through Olyn's network of gig workers, the materials are retrieved as soon as they receive a notification.
Anton Van Zyl, Director of Packaging Strategy at the North America Operating Unit of The Coca-Cola Company, explains that the convenience retail channel is a significant opportunity for the company to implement recycling programs and achieve its goals.
Anton Van Zyl exemplified: "Very few consumers are aware of the big changes that need to happen both in product and in infrastructure in convenience retail. A lot of product use comes into convenience retail; around 50 per cent of consumers bring trash and want to drop it somewhere."
"Our latest goal is for 25 per cent of product volume to go into reusable packaging through recycling in convenience retail and reusing those recycled packages," the Director added.
The implementation of recycling programs involves significant costs for municipalities and companies, particularly in creating the necessary infrastructure for collection, sorting, and processing. However, by leveraging AI technology, Coca-Cola can potentially increase the number of recycling machines deployed nationwide while also prioritizing recycling and reusability as part of its sustainability efforts.
In addition, Olyns Recycling has developed an innovative recycling solution and retail media network that addresses the unique challenges faced by convenience stores in promoting recycling.
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