The process of installing reverse vending machines designed to accept various types of beverage containers, including plastic, glass, and aluminum, has begun in Uzbekistan.
For every bottle or can returned, a citizen can receive a reward of 150 soms or choose the option of directing this amount to charitable causes.
Pilot Project
This pilot project is being implemented with the participation of the Waste Management Agency and Circular Economy Development together with the Norwegian company Tomra. The main goal of the initiative is to simplify the process of separate waste collection and increase the amount of packaging sent for secondary processing.
Users can return packaging through special reverse vending machines, after which they are credited with 150 soms, which can be withdrawn to the Click electronic wallet. Additionally, there is an option to redirect accumulated funds to charity; the revenue from the sale of collected packaging is planned to be used to support charitable projects and tree planting.
The reverse vending machines operate separately from general household waste: the collected packaging undergoes sorting and is then sent for recycling, from where raw materials for the production of new products are obtained.
The project is also aimed at forming a habit among the population for separate waste collection, demonstrating that used packaging can be recycled instead of ending up in general waste.
If the pilot project is successfully implemented, the automatic acceptors will be gradually placed in places with large crowds and in other regions of the country.
Previously, information had been received about the placement of reverse vending machines in Tashkent and Samarkand to accept plastic packaging, where the reward was supposed to be issued as vouchers or points for purchasing food.
