Review Blog. (Blog #5)

The blog “Beyond the Blue Bin: The next generation of Recycling” written by Warren Stoll describes about how the world is looking for a better recycling options beyond just the traditional methods. The reverse vending machines are usually located at the local supermarkets and recycling centers. But today, consumers are beginning to look for better options and locations like universities, entertainment arenas, public parks and hospitals. Recycling started out with blue recycling bins but through the advancement in technology, RVMs were able to provide more effective solutions. People would normally just pass by or throw away non-recyclable trash but with the automated recycling machines, people became more innovated and serious about recycling.  

The automatic and advanced technology in recycling improved the rate of recycling in busy facilities. For example, Sacred heart University in Connecticut installed RVMs in campus to reduce trash volume and eliminate litter. To promote recycling, whoever recycled would receive coupons to redeem goods from sponsors. Compared to the blue bins, RVMs were much more successful. According to Larry Lepore, if the RVMs are used wisely, it can “save the facility $1400 in trash haulage costs.” Today, RVMs are also being used by national parks and other public spaces. For example, RVMs were installed in Grand Canyon National Park camping ground areas. To encourage people to recycle, local shops sold drinks with high deposits resulting motivation for people to actually recycle.

Another smart way to use the RVMS is to install them temporarily. According to Warren Stoll, RVMs were installed temporarily at Madison Square Park in NYC for concert series. It provided park visitors to dispose their drinks and even get a chance to win prizes like IPod shuffles and t-shirts. All the deposit money was collected to be donated to a nonprofit organization that supported the Madison square park. Even in hospitals, RVMs are used by employees to create and promote a healthier environment. In Yale New Haven hospital, the deposit money gets saved for a fund called Employee Hardship Fund. The more people recycle, the more beneficial it gets. People today need motivation and benefits in order to willingly recycle more often. As RVMs develop and improve, hopefully the world takes bigger roles in recycling.

BLOG URL:

http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2010/04/30/beyond-blue-bin-next-generation-recycling?page=0%2C0