Coles supermarkets have begun installing a new type of machine that's set to change the way we approach recycling.

Dubbed 'reverse vending machines', these high-tech units allow customers to insert empty drink containers and receive a 10-cent refund instantly.

It's a win-win—extra cash in your pocket and less waste in landfills.

But how exactly do they work?

Reverse vending machines are the backbone of container deposit schemes, which aim to reduce litter and increase recycling.

Coles launched ‘reverse vending machines’ that collect drink containers for refund points. Credit: Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme/Facebook

When you return an eligible bottle or can, the machine scans the barcode to identify the container. It then collects and stores it securely for recycling.

The 10-cent refund acts as an incentive for consumers to recycle properly rather than throwing containers away.

Different refund points offer various options: cash, vouchers, donations, or electronic payment. Each refund location will have information available on-site regarding the process of obtaining your refund.

So far, Coles has rolled out 47 reverse vending machines across Victoria as part of the state's new Container Deposit Scheme launched this month.

If you plan on participating in this program, here are the containers you can return for a refund:

​

You can also use the state’s Barcode Checker and their Interactive Map for more details.

Nationwide, Coles now has 139 reverse vending units in place, with plans to expand further as more states adopt similar recycling programs.

Last financial year alone, over 200 million drink containers were returned to Coles-linked sites nationwide.

Since 2018, when Coles first backed container deposit schemes, the supermarket estimates over 1 billion containers have been recycled through their reverse vending network.

'We're confident by having (reverse vending machines) in such convenient locations we will be able to significantly reduce the state's litter and give Victorians the option of putting cash back in their pockets,' Victorian Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos said.

You can watch 9News Australia’s coverage of this new initiative here:

​

Key Takeaways

• The Victorian state government has launched its Container Deposit Scheme, rewarding recyclers with a 10-cent reward for each eligible can, bottle, or carton returned.
• Coles supermarket supports this initiative and has installed 47 'reverse vending machines' across their Victorian stores for customers to return their eligible containers.
• The scheme seeks to reduce litter and gives shoppers the option to earn a small return when
  recycling.
• Since 2018, more than a billion containers have reportedly been returned to Coles-linked sites.

What do you think about these ‘reverse vending machines’, members? Do you think this should be implemented in other states? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[ElizabethL]

It’s a great concept. I already recycle my drink containers into “containers for change” recycling machines.
I have the money deposited into my bank account. Always check your vouchers though as one time it didn’t go into my account. Luckily I noticed and had kept the receipt, it was a receipt for Coles which meant I had to go to Coles to collect the money. I was really annoyed as it seemed that just maybe it was a hookup between “containers for change” and Coles so that the customer might spend the money at Coles.

 

[Gunpark]

We have had these at Woolies in Gunnedah for some years. I have one of those big green yard bags outside the back door and all the cans and bottles go into it and when full down to the can restore machine, get a little print out when finished, and either get the slip cashed at Woolies straight away, or use it to pay for groceries when you shop at Woolies

 

[DrivingGirl]

Come on Queensland GET WITH THE PROGRAM!!!

 

[Veggiepatch]

Where are they in Victoria?

 

[Lozbutler]

Coles did NOT introduce them. The Victorian Government set the scheme up with private companies gradually installing these units throughout Victoria. Similar schemes have been operating in other States for years.

 

[KiwiTrish]

Coles supermarkets have begun installing a new type of machine that's set to change the way we approach recycling.

Dubbed 'reverse vending machines', these high-tech units allow customers to insert empty drink containers and receive a 10-cent refund instantly.

It's a win-win—extra cash in your pocket and less waste in landfills.

But how exactly do they work?

Reverse vending machines are the backbone of container deposit schemes, which aim to reduce litter and increase recycling.

View attachment 33707

Coles launched ‘reverse vending machines’ that collect drink containers for refund points. Credit: Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme/Facebook

When you return an eligible bottle or can, the machine scans the barcode to identify the container. It then collects and stores it securely for recycling.

The 10-cent refund acts as an incentive for consumers to recycle properly rather than throwing containers away.

Different refund points offer various options: cash, vouchers, donations, or electronic payment. Each refund location will have information available on-site regarding the process of obtaining your refund.

So far, Coles has rolled out 47 reverse vending machines across Victoria as part of the state's new Container Deposit Scheme launched this month.

If you plan on participating in this program, here are the containers you can return for a refund:

View attachment 33722​

You can also use the state’s Barcode Checker and their Interactive Map for more details.

Nationwide, Coles now has 139 reverse vending units in place, with plans to expand further as more states adopt similar recycling programs.

Last financial year alone, over 200 million drink containers were returned to Coles-linked sites nationwide.

Since 2018, when Coles first backed container deposit schemes, the supermarket estimates over 1 billion containers have been recycled through their reverse vending network.

'We're confident by having (reverse vending machines) in such convenient locations we will be able to significantly reduce the state's litter and give Victorians the option of putting cash back in their pockets,' Victorian Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos said.

You can watch 9News Australia’s coverage of this new initiative here:

​

Key Takeaways

• The Victorian state government has launched its Container Deposit Scheme, rewarding recyclers with a 10-cent reward for each eligible can, bottle, or carton returned.
• Coles supermarket supports this initiative and has installed 47 'reverse vending machines' across their Victorian stores for customers to return their eligible containers.
• The scheme seeks to reduce litter and gives shoppers the option to earn a small return when
  recycling.
• Since 2018, more than a billion containers have reportedly been returned to Coles-linked sites.

What do you think about these ‘reverse vending machines’, members? Do you think this should be implemented in other states? Let us know in the comments below

 

[KiwiTrish]

Don’t think we need them in nsw have plenty of places to return them

 

[Noraya]

in Germany every supermarket has one, but they only accept brand names or their own brand, like Coles only Coles drink bottles/cans or coke etc, Woolies only woolies. you get a voucher, then do your shopping and use the voucher as part of your payment. been like that for about 20 years....

 

[Ezzy]

We take ours to Good Sammy's Industries but would be nice if this type of thing were introduced into W.A. too.

 

[Supernan1950]

Coles supermarkets have begun installing a new type of machine that's set to change the way we approach recycling.

Dubbed 'reverse vending machines', these high-tech units allow customers to insert empty drink containers and receive a 10-cent refund instantly.

It's a win-win—extra cash in your pocket and less waste in landfills.

But how exactly do they work?

Reverse vending machines are the backbone of container deposit schemes, which aim to reduce litter and increase recycling.

View attachment 33707

Coles launched ‘reverse vending machines’ that collect drink containers for refund points. Credit: Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme/Facebook

When you return an eligible bottle or can, the machine scans the barcode to identify the container. It then collects and stores it securely for recycling.

The 10-cent refund acts as an incentive for consumers to recycle properly rather than throwing containers away.

Different refund points offer various options: cash, vouchers, donations, or electronic payment. Each refund location will have information available on-site regarding the process of obtaining your refund.

So far, Coles has rolled out 47 reverse vending machines across Victoria as part of the state's new Container Deposit Scheme launched this month.

If you plan on participating in this program, here are the containers you can return for a refund:

View attachment 33722​

You can also use the state’s Barcode Checker and their Interactive Map for more details.

Nationwide, Coles now has 139 reverse vending units in place, with plans to expand further as more states adopt similar recycling programs.

Last financial year alone, over 200 million drink containers were returned to Coles-linked sites nationwide.

Since 2018, when Coles first backed container deposit schemes, the supermarket estimates over 1 billion containers have been recycled through their reverse vending network.

'We're confident by having (reverse vending machines) in such convenient locations we will be able to significantly reduce the state's litter and give Victorians the option of putting cash back in their pockets,' Victorian Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos said.

You can watch 9News Australia’s coverage of this new initiative here:

​

Key Takeaways

• The Victorian state government has launched its Container Deposit Scheme, rewarding recyclers with a 10-cent reward for each eligible can, bottle, or carton returned.
• Coles supermarket supports this initiative and has installed 47 'reverse vending machines' across their Victorian stores for customers to return their eligible containers.
• The scheme seeks to reduce litter and gives shoppers the option to earn a small return when
  recycling.
• Since 2018, more than a billion containers have reportedly been returned to Coles-linked sites.

What do you think about these ‘reverse vending machines’, members? Do you think this should be implemented in other states? Let us know in the comments below!

We have had these Woollies Return and Earn machines for some years around the Newcastle region and they are fantastic for saving the environment and also for extra cash to help in these harder times. I cashed in $22.70 worth of cans and bottles just this week. Love it.

 

[marni]

Were these plastic bottles not the ones stockpiled and had to go to landfill just recently. I don't think we can recycle the number of bottles recycled