Next time, when you will dispose off your used batteries and lights, the chances are that you will get reward for disposing them. Yes, you read that right. reVendRecycling Ltd. a UK based reverse vending machine manufacturing is soon launching worldwide an innovative line of recycling machines for the collection of all kind of light bulbs – CFLs, LEDs and incandescents. The machine also contains addon unit to collect used batteries as well.

The machine has been developed by Revend Recycling and Repant ASA, a corporation listed under Norwegian Stock Exchange. The innovation is a welcome change in the wake of huge waste generated by disposed light bulbs and batteries that remains untreated and unprocessed and end up filling the landfill sites posing a significant risk to the environmental safety. Besides, recycling of batteries and lights are one of the key environmental policies of United Nations, the European Union and the governments worldwide which makes the machine a very significant gadget in the direction of creating a sustainable environment. The new machines will be helpful in increasing recycling rates and help companies comply with their respective recycling targets and sustainable efforts for a greener Earth.

The machine is a look alike of standard vending machines but instead of dispensing snacks it will provide rewards to the recyclers who will safely dispose lights and batteries in the machine. In addition to rewarding recyclers, each machine will also contain an automated system to track recycled light bulbs by type, manufacturer and volume. The machine will be developed on the basis of COSMOS technology developed by Revend Recycling. The key features of the machine are as following:

1. The unique technology of the machine safely recycles hazardous materials like mercury, etc from the lights and batteries.

2. The automated drop system safely collects the disposed machines, minimizing breakage.

3. Besides, an internally fit mercury fume extractor removes any escaped mercury fumes, making the machine hazard free for the people who collect disposed items from the machine.

4. The staff will not be required to touch the harmful substances while removing the lights from the machine.

5. The recyclers will automatically get a reward incentive from the machine which can be used in the store.

6. The easy to use LED touch screen menu has options for operating the machine in a number of languages.

7. The innovative technology of the machine facilitates in compiling the statistics on bulbs type and their manufacturers.

8. The display cabinet of the machine provides an opportunity for advertising and flagging environment friendly messages to the store owners.

9. The machine provides an excellent opportunity to the recyclers to donate ‘rewards’ to the humanitarian organizations and thus gives an opportunity to do something for a social cause.

10. The machine complies with the environmental standards of European Union and USA.

11. The machine automatically sends emails and messages to the respective people when the light bulb storage container is full and needs emptying.

12. The database can be updated with the help of telemetry from across the world by the authorized dealers.

As a pilot project, the machine was installed at an IKEA store in Lakeside Shopping Center in London. Now, after the successful implementation of the pilot project, the company has reached a supply agreement with IKEA to install the vending machine at its stores across Europe including UK, Germany, Denmark and then worldwide. The customers who dispose used lights and batteries will be given in – store rewards. Those customers who don’t want to take the reward but want to donate it, they can make the donations to one of the four charities – the World Wildlife Fund, Woodland Trust, UNICEF and Save the Children.

The company has launched a major marketing campaign internationally to promote the light bulb recycling machine. So far, Revend has not locked up agreement with any US based company but it plans to sell the vending machines in USA and worldwide so the chances are that soon these environment friendly machines will be installed in US also.

About the author: Alia Haley is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and autos. Beside this she is fond of cars and fancy accessories. Recently an article on recycle mania attracted her attention. These days she is busy in writing an article on Steps to Recycle.