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What is Reverse Vending?

ENVIPCO is long recognized as the industry leader in the field of reverse vending. The reverse vending machine was invented by Bruce DeWoolfson, ENVIPCO's founder. Reverse vending equipment automates beverage container recycling by accepting containers directly from the consumer, accounting for each container processed, and refunding the deposit to the consumer.

Who needs reverse vending?

ENVIPCO reverse vending machines were first introduced in to reduce the supermarket retailers' burden of manually redeeming and accounting for empty beverage containers. In addition, the ENVIPCO system provides a more efficient and cost effective collection accounting system to distributors.

Benefits of using Reverse Vending Systems

For Retailers:

• Beverage industry studies have shown that reverse vending is less expensive compared to the cost of manual, primarily because of space and labor savings.
• Reverse vending alleviates the sanitation problems associated with storing empty containers in open storage bins.
• Empty containers do not have to be manually accepted and sorted by store personnel because they are sorted and accounted for automatically by the Envipco RVM machine.
• Reverse vending offers convenience to the retailers' customers and builds traffic. Retail customers are more inclined to shop at supermarkets with recycling centers, especially if they can recycle with automated equipment they find to be reliable, convenient, accurate, fast.

For Distributors:

ENVIPCO can manage the logistics of empty beverage container collection. In a deposit law state, each distributor must collect containers from every retailer to which it sells. ENVIPCO eliminates this step for the distributor by a more efficient collection process. ENVIPCO accomplishes this through in-house and independent subcontractors (often a beverage distributor type operation) that it retains to collect the empty containers from the retailers.

The distributors, acknowledging the integrity of Envipco's automated brand recognition process, allow their containers to be commingled with those of other distributors and pay a fee for having their containers collected. The deposit accounting system provides each distributor with an accounting of how many of their containers were redeemed, and are also reimbursed for the scrap value of those containers. Another benefit to the distributor is the reduced risk of fraudulent multiple redemptions because the containers are crushed or shredded.

Deposit Accounting System

The reverse vending machines are equipped with a laser scanner to read UPC codes. In addition, the machines have a microprocessor to keep track of the brand and number of containers returned. These features are part of the Company's computer-based Deposit Accounting System, which operates in conjunction with the reverse vending machines. The system is designed to record the brand and package type (can, plastic or glass), and also to count the containers in each category. With this information, the system can calculate amounts due.

ENVIPCO can invoice and collect fees from each distributor and pay each participating retailer on a monthly basis. The distributors, through the Deposit Accounting System, pay ENVIPCO and we reimburse the retailers for the deposits. In this way, billing, cash management, and reporting are greatly simplified for both the distributor and the retailer alike.

Benefits to the Sponsors

The Envipco Reverse Vending equipment may be used as an important eco-marketing tool to promote environmental friendly programs and encourage ecosystem protection programs.

Enforce brand loyalty by placing private label brand logos on the machines. Attract new customers by offering the consumer a convenient method of participating in a recycling program.

Benefits to the recycling consumer

The recycling consumer has a convenient and easy method to recycle their used beverage containers. They get a comfortable feeling knowing that they are participating in an environmentally friendly program as well as the cash incentive for returning their used beverage containers.