Global initiatives for cash-redeemable aluminium recycling

Although aluminium is recyclable, its production process is energy-intensive and produces pollutants, resulting in a high carbon footprint. The aluminium industry aims to reduce emissions and shift towards renewable energy sources to achieve sustainability. However, aluminium is a durable metal that can be 100% recycled, making it a good material for recycling. Recycling aluminium scrap requires significantly less energy than producing it from scratch using fossil fuels. In fact, producing one tonne of aluminium from recycled scrap requires 95% less electricity than primary aluminium. Additionally, recycling aluminium saves 9 tonnes of CO2 and 6 tonnes of Bauxite per tonne of recycled aluminium. In 2019, the global aluminium industry recycled 20 million tonnes of aluminium, preventing the production of 300 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, according to Karl Hoffman from Steinert.

Upon understanding the benefits of recycling aluminium, international organisations are coming up with newer ways of recycling end-of-life aluminium waste. One such method is the initiation of reverse vending machines. These machines accept aluminium cans, which are made of the purest form of the metal, so no sorting is required. These RVMs are not only related to aluminium waste collection but also accept PET bottles and other associated recyclable objects. Overall, RVMs can introduce a good practice of recycling items among the general community. With big companies barging in and creating big RVM modules, the concept of door-to-door waste collection would soon be obsolete.

Reverse Vending Machines cannot work on their own if big organisations do not facilitate them. The recycling schemes initiated by major communities and regions have their own transparency, where the material collected is circulated toward recycling houses. Aluminium can retain its original properties even after passing through rigorous recycling cycles. Thus aluminium waste collection ultimately adds value to the entire supply chain, propelling a circular economy.

Some of the big organisations and regions that have come forward with reverse vending machine practices:

Cash4Trash (C4T): Redefine and C4T are working together to create advanced reverse vending machines that use 4IR technology to automate the process of collecting, sorting, and handling used beverage containers for recycling. Redefine CEO Andrew König, believes this initiative aligns with the company's environmental goals. The project aims to generate income, inspire communities, and hold producers accountable for plastic waste. C4T has already recycled 150,000 aluminium cans and 10,000 glass bottles in Africa.

RECAPP: Veolia, in collaboration with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and Masdar City, has introduced a new initiative to increase recycling in the UAE using its digital recycling solution, RECAPP. The service includes RVMs, RSDMs, and door-to-door collection. Veolia aims to offer digital recycling solutions that benefit both people and the planet. In Dubai, RECAPP has launched its first RVM, offering rewards and connected to the app. Veolia's RECAPP app is a comprehensive digital recycling solution for individuals and businesses, offering two recycling options and reward points for users' recycling efforts.

RAKEZ: Sparklo, a cleantech company that aims to revolutionise recycling, has set up its reverse vending machine at Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ). The machine allows customers to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans and receive incentives like discount coupons for food or delivery services. RAKEZ was recently recognised at the Emirates Recycling Awards hosted by Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) for its remarkable achievements in the 'Glass Collection Campaign'. It was also honoured as one of the top 10 champions in the 'Can Collection Campaign'. During the latest bi-annual campaign, RAKEZ collected 488 kilograms of aluminium cans from four zones within its premises, including Al Hamra Industrial Zone, Al Hulaila Industrial Zone, Al Ghail Industrial Zone, and the business zone.

Al Meera: Al Meera teamed up with Seashore Recycling to introduce an e-waste recycling station in Qatar. The pilot project is at the Al Meera Legtaifiya branch's parking lot. The initiative aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030's goal to make the country environmentally friendly. Al Meera rewarded its members with five times the usual credit points for recycling through vending machines at 20 branches during the weekend. They collected nearly 238,372 plastic bottles and aluminium cans, and Al Meera allocated QR24,000 worth of points. The company promotes green practices and environmental sustainability through its Corporate Social Responsibility campaigns.

Biffa and Scotland DRS: Biffa is partnering with Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme to invest £80 million in a recycling center in Motherwell. The facility will create 140 new jobs and be responsible for collecting, sorting, and recycling plastic, glass, and aluminium beverage packaging. Nearly 95% of Scotland's packaging providers have already registered for the scheme, which officially launches on 16th August 2023. The Motherwell facility will be part of Biffa's network of recycling units across Scotland, creating nearly 500 jobs. There have been continuous attacks on Biffa from smaller firms who are against the DRS, but the firm is adamant that the proceedings will begin on 1st March 2024.

BCRS: Since its launch, Malta's Beverage Container Refund Scheme (BCRS) has successfully collected over 20 million aluminium cans and bottles. BCRS Malta Ltd's chairperson, Pierre Fava, announced that they had met their goal for the first two years of operation. Approximately 600 tonnes of containers have been recycled, with each bale weighing between 250 to 270 kg. Fava expressed his appreciation for the positive response from the public, which enabled them to exceed their initial goal of collecting 70% of all containers sold. Customers who participated in the programme were charged an additional 10 cents for their beverage purchase and received coupons for recycling their beverage containers. Major beverage distributors in Malta are part of the BCRS Malta consortium.

Coke Recycle Me with Trash Lucky: Coca-Cola Thailand launched the "Coke Recycle Me with Trash Lucky" campaign to promote recycling. They partnered with seven organisations to establish a waste management system and set up 64 drop-off locations in Bangkok and five in Phuket. Smart recycling bins will award points to users, and PET bottles will be converted into rPET flakes. Thai Beverage Can encouraged aluminium recycling by contributing to the Prostheses Foundation for each can donation.

Refuel with RecyKal: Indian Oil Corporation launched the 'Refuel with RecyKal' campaign on World Environment Day, encouraging customers to bring in recyclable materials to receive fuel points. The campaign was active in five retail outlets in Hyderabad and ran for three months. RecyKal facilitated the initiative using a digital system that collected and valorised waste, paying customers in credits redeemable for fuel. The system accepted PET bottles, aluminium cans, plastic, paper, cardboard, e-waste, glass, and metal.