Now recyclers can empty an entire bag of drink containers in seconds: introducing TOMRA R1 at EuroShop

How does it work?

Shoppers simply open the hatch and pour their empty cans and plastic bottles into the machine, and close the lid to begin the counting and sorting process. They then collect their voucher and start shopping. Ineligible containers are returned to the user via the reject chute.

Attractive recycling results in more store visits and spending

The multi-feed TOMRA R1 has been tested in the field by retailers and recyclers in Norway and Sweden since 2016. Test stores registered an up to 60% increase in the number of consumer recycling sessions compared to the year before, and up to 218% more containers returned. Consumer response to TOMRA R1 has been enormous, with a demonstration video uploaded to social media by one of the tests stores now viewed over 425,000 times. Making recycling easy for consumers also enables retailers to demonstrate their sustainability commitments.

With an accessible product design, the new TOMRA R1 is easy to clean and maintain. TOMRA R1 is also the first reverse vending machine with a backroom-facing operator screen located inside the machine, so store personnel have all the information they need at their fingertips.

For recyclers, TOMRA R1 provides a mess-free recycling experience as there is no need to handle each bottle – so consumers can do their part for the planet without getting their hands sticky. TOMRA R1 is also intuitive to use, reduces queues, and offers efficient and fast recycling. When returning over 100 beverage containers, recycling at TOMRA R1 is up to five times faster than using a single-feed solution, since containers do not need to be inserted one by one.

“TOMRA R1 enables stores and redemption centers to offer the best recycling experience and truly wow their customers,” said Harald Henriksen, Head of TOMRA Collection Solutions. “The multi-feed concept fundamentally transforms the recycling experience. During our tests we have seen recyclers come with trailers full of containers, drive past other stores in order to use TOMRA R1, and tag family and friends on social media encouraging them to try it out.”

Features at a glance

Bringing together the premium products from different categories in TOMRA’s reverse vending portfolio, TOMRA R1 can pair with the T9 reverse vending machine to add handling of glass containers, and connect to TOMRA’s MultiPac Air high-speed, high-capacity storage cabinets.

TOMRA partners with retailers on TOMRA R1 in offering reverse vending as a service, not merely being a supplier of machinery. As well as the cutting-edge reverse vending equipment, TOMRA is offering the product as part of an all-inclusive package:

• Digital: Digital tools to help stores work more efficiently (including Notify+Assist Premium notification tools and Weekly Analytics reports for customer and personnel insights).
• Service: TOMRA’s first-class Customer Care for priority servicing, preventive maintenance, repairs, remote monitoring, and hotline and in-store support.

TOMRA R1 is powered by TOMRA Flow Technology for industry-leading recognition and system integrity, and compatible with TOMRA’s full portfolio of Digital products, which add value for both recyclers and retailers.

For redemption centers, TOMRA R1 empowers facilities to move toward automated returns and away from manual, over-the-counter handling of containers, or to increase a facility’s capacity by moving from single-feed machines to multi-feed offerings.

Retailers can contact TOMRA or their local TOMRA representative to arrange a demonstration of the new TOMRA R1 multi-feed reverse vending solution.

Notes for editors

Quotes from store managers testing out TOMRA R1:

• “The machine is totally fantastic! Customers love it, and the machine definitely attracts more people to our store. Since installing the machine we have experienced over 200% growth in the volume of containers compared to the year before.”
• “We have gotten a lot of positive feedback. We have customers saying ‘since your store has such a nice machine, we will buy our groceries here at the same time’.”
• “I am really happy with it. Customers come to our store to recycle, and then do their shopping here, too. We recently had two new competitors move next door, but we are still experiencing growth. I believe the new machine is a contributing factor.”

See the full case study with test store MaxiMat Töcksfors in Sweden.

Contact [email protected] if you have any questions, need images or would like to arrange to speak to the TOMRA team.