Tomra has launched its smallest reverse vending machine (RVM) in the UK, targeting convenience stores and independent retailers ahead of the introduction of the country’s deposit return scheme (DRS) in 2027.
The Tomra B3 occupies 0.45 sq m of floor space and is designed to automate the collection of eligible PET drinks bottles and metal cans.
The UK DRS is due to begin in October 2027, with consumers paying a refundable 20p (27 cents) deposit on eligible drinks containers and receiving the deposit back when they return them to a retailer.
The B3 uses barcode recognition, weight detection and image-based recognition to identify returned containers. It is also available on wheels, allowing retailers greater flexibility over where it is positioned.
‘Practical way to automate returns’
“Tomra B3 is the smallest RVM in our product portfolio, and gives convenience stores and independent retailers a practical way to automate returns without sacrificing valuable store space,” said Sondre Henningsgård, managing director for Tomra Collection UK.
According to Tomra, the company has more than 95,000 RVMs operating worldwide.
Under the UK scheme, Exchange for Change, the DRS operator, will pay retailers a handling fee for each drinks container collected. Retailers using automated collection will receive a higher handling fee.
“Convenience retailers are assessing the advantages of automating collection instead of handling containers manually, and the larger handling fee is just one of many incentives,” said Henningsgård.
‘Attracting shoppers’
“Having a RVM can save staff time and make the process easier for customers. We see in other DRS markets that shoppers value a quick and reliable return experience, and retailers that provide this can benefit from attracting shoppers.”
Tomra also said qualifying sites can apply for grant funding through Exchange for Change, and advised retailers to check whether they are eligible.
The B3 is being shown in the UK this week at industry events including RWM, the resource and waste management expo at the NEC in Birmingham.
The launch follows a £15 million ($19.9m) investment in Tomra sorting technology at CWM Environmental’s redeveloped Nantycaws Resource Recovery Facility in Wales, reported by Eco-plastics in Packaging earlier this month.
