BY: Charles Burch
Reverse Vending Machines
Reverse vending machines are devices that allow you to receive reimbursement for your recycled goods. These machines receive, sort, and dispose of recyclable materials, and give users credit based on the amount of material turned in. The first patent for a "Bottle Return and Handling Machine" was filed in 1920, but only since the turn of the century have modern versions of these technologies been created. Since then, more viable options for alternative recycling have emerged.
Reverse vending machines are so innovative because of the way they solve two important issues simultaneously; they encourage recycling and at the same time make people want to do it. Apathy about recycling has long been a problem for Americans, who view the process to be tedious and time consuming. Each person generates about 4.5 pounds of trash a day, and 74% of the materials are recyclable. Unfortunately only a meager 30% of the materials reach the recycling bin. This statistic is appalling in light of the pollution problems that our country is currently suffering from, our waste sites pile up with millions of tons of materials that could easily be reused and turned into new products. Some western states like California have become aware of this fact, and have started incentive programs that pay citizens money for bringing their recyclable waste to gas stations for proper disposal. However, this service is only in operation in a few states, leaving the majority of us with very little to gain from the process.
If you pay close attention to the video, you will notice that the person using this device is an American, and this video takes place in New York. What makes this interesting is that the majority of Americans are not offered access to this service, much less even know what a reverse vending machine is. The reluctance of the American market to embrace these technologies may have something to do with the technical difficulties that can occur, much like those shown in this video. Americans are known for being generally lazy, and will not participate in processes that slow down or add more burdens to their lives, even for beneficial deeds like recycling. In order for reverse vending machines to reach the mainstream, strides will have to be made in streamlining the reverse vending process to make the process faster. Once that happens, reverse vending will be the vanguard for modern recycling.
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This is a great idea! I think that it is going to do its job - cause people to be more conscious of the way that they dispose of their waste. It just is a bit of a shame that it takes compensating or rewarding a person for them to have a sense of responsibility for the world that they live in. Looking forward to this happening, though.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful idea! I've always thought there should be an easier more accessible way of completing these tasks and here it is!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great way of making sure that the earth will be sustainable for years to come. By compensating people, they will make sure to not just throw certain items in the trash or litter at the park or on the side of the road. Hopefully this can even lead to price decreases in products that use the materials recycled in a reverse vending machine as well since new resources will not be consumed.
ReplyDeleteI can see these popping up in the newer, green mini-cities where electric car charging stations are, and smart grids can be found. Definitely. Places like Atlantic Station.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've heard of a reverse vending machine, and the premise of it is very interesting. Not to mention, since we are moving into a more ecologically sensitive society in the ways that we dispose of waste, and treat our planet in general. As access to these machines increase, I can see them being a game changer in a major way.
ReplyDeleteThe reverse vending machine is a useful concept. Our society urges people to value environmental preservation; however, most people will only care for the environment when the act is incentivized, particularly involving money.
ReplyDelete