Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) Australia has initiated the introduction of reverse vending machines (RVMs) in its primary manufacturing facilities, commencing with its Moorabbin site in Victoria.

A reverse vending machine is a device designed to collect empty beverage containers. This includes plastic bottles, glass bottles, and aluminium cans, which are then funnelled into the recycling process. Users are often rewarded for their recycling efforts, typically in the form of a deposit refund, voucher, or other incentives.

CCEP Australia’s trial initiative is being carried out in collaboration with Return-It, the eastern zone network operator for Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic). The main goal of this venture is to make container recycling more accessible to the general public.

Orlando Rodriguez, the Managing Director for Australia at CCEP, expressed the company’s pride in making Coca-Cola in Moorabbin for over 65 years. He highlighted that with the installation of the reverse vending machine, consumers can now return their containers for recycling at the same location where their favourite beverages are produced.

Marc Churchin, CEO of Return-It, emphasised that the collaboration highlights the crucial role of industry partnerships in advancing recycling efforts. He mentioned that the organisation’s mission is to make recycling worthwhile by making it accessible, easy, and rewarding.

Beyond the Moorabbin facility, CCEP Australia has plans to expand the deployment of RVMs to other manufacturing locations across Australia. Rodriguez added that “the initiative reflects our long-standing support for Australia’s container deposit schemes and our commitment to investing in local recycling infrastructure. We want to ensure beverage containers are kept out of the environment.”

A reverse vending machine collects empty beverage containers, such as plastic bottles, glass bottles, and aluminium cans. These are then recycled, and users are incentivised for their participation in the form of deposit refunds, vouchers, or other rewards.

The primary goal is to make container recycling more accessible to the general public. This is achieved by installing reverse vending machines at locations where beverages are produced, enabling consumers to return their containers for recycling.

CCEP plans to expand the rollout of reverse vending machines to more manufacturing locations across Australia. This reflects their ongoing support for local container deposit schemes and commitment to investing in local recycling infrastructure.