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Singapore promotes recycling through ‘reverse vending machines.’
In January, commercial property Waterway Point Fairprice Finest has installed reverse vending machines outside its outlet in the town of Punggol. Food and beverage company F&N, supermarket chain NTUC Fairprice, Frasers Centrepoint Malls, and machine supplier Incon Green Singapore all worked together to make the installation possible.
Unlike the conventional vending machines that hand out items, these reverse vending machines gather old cans or bottles. It can also recognize and categorize wastes, which will then be distributed to recycling plants in nearby countries.
Reverse vending machines have made their way to the country back in 2009. According to Incon Green managing director Jack Lee, the company intended to provide ease of recycling to people. Incon Green also aims to put up 500 machines in other local facilities like schools, food courts, office buildings, and supermarkets within four years.
In 2016, the domestic sector in Singapore discarded 1.7 million tonnes of waste, in which packaging wastes like bottles and cans accounted for one-third of the total amount. This figure has prompted the National Environmental Agency to support segregation and recycling-related projects.
Aside from reverse vending machines, an initiative called the HP Make IT Green Campaign has also been implemented. It is part of the South West District’s yearly recycling drive. The year-long initiative entails collecting 10,000 old gadgets such as personal computers, laptops, and display monitors.
District residents are also encouraged to participate by bringing their e-waste to the district’s different recycling points. HP Singapore managing director Lionel Chng asserted that the campaign aims to increase awareness in the community and develop a system that prolongs the shelf life of resources.