Ireland champions reverse vending machine

Ireland is set to have 150 ‘reverse vending machines’ installed across the country by the end of this year.

Reverse vending machines - branded Reuse Reward machines - give users points for depositing used cans and bottles.

Points can then be exchanged for prizes, including mobile phones and mp3 players, whilst the used cans and bottles are recycled.

55 machines have already been placed around Ireland, and plans are afoot to install at least 100 more.

Reuse Reward chief executive, Randy McKee, said the company’s vending machines are already popular across America.

He added that his company makes a small amount of money from leasing the machines to local councils, schools and private businesses.

However, this accounts for just a ‘tiny fraction’ of the company’s income; Reuse Reward makes most of its money selling recycled plastic and aluminium.

In addition to installing single machines in venues across Ireland, the company hopes to install high capacity kiosks in a number of venues with several machines.

Plans to install the machines in other countries across Europe are also underway.