Tomra’s multi-feed system will take collection rates to new heights

Consumers can for the first time pour more than 100 empty beverage containers and bottles into a reverse vending machine in one go, says recycling technology expert Tomra. A total of 29 of its new Tomra R1 machines have been installed at hotspots across big cities, the latest of which is in Finland.

Finland is the first new market to introduce the Tomra R1 ‘multi-feed’ take-back solution since the original launch of the product in Norway, Sweden and the US in November. The unit installed at K-Citymarket Tammisto in Vanta is open 24 hours a day, all week long. Tomra is confident this will see collection rates rise significantly.

Tomra R1 is tailored to large facilities receiving high volumes of bottles and cans pretty much every day. ‘The new system offers a more user-friendly, faster and convenient recycling experience. This can attract store visitors and a greater volume of containers returned, leading to increased loyalty among recyclers and revenues for retailers,’ the company says. There is no need to handle each bottle individually – so consumers can do their part for the environment without getting their hands sticky.

‘The multi-feed concept fundamentally transforms the recycling experience, and enables stores and redemption centers to offer the best recycling experience and truly wow their customers,’ explains Lauri Kangaslahti, managing director for Tomra in Finland.

‘The rapid return of containers at Tomra R1 make it even more easy and motivating to recycle. Finnish recyclers can save the planet, one bottle at a time or, in this case, over one hundred bottles at a time.’