Rugged reverse vending - Waste & Recycling

TOMRA has unveiled a solution for big-city recycling, the TOMRA S1 Rugged. Designed to withstand challenging weather conditions, this reverse vending machine (RVM) has been designed for returning drink containers for recycling in semi-outdoor, metropolitan locations.

TOMRA S1 Rugged hits the US market today and will roll out to other markets in the future.

The S1 has been tested to comply with product standards for water resistance, making it ideal for semi-outdoor locations. The reverse vending machine’s touchscreen display is easy to read, even in bright sunlight. With TOMRA Flow Technology, the TOMRA S1 Rugged accepts containers in a smooth, fast flow, with top-of-the line system integrity.

Greater storage and digital opportunities

TOMRA S1 Rugged minimizes interruptions as the storage bin can hold one-third more containers than the previous model TOMRA T53, which means fewer bin changes, more uptime and less staff time spent managing the machine. TOMRA S1 Rugged stores one commodity type – plastic, glass or cans – per machine. Retailers also have the opportunity to brand the machine’s user interface according to their needs. With the TOMRA S1 Rugged comes TOMRA’s Digital Starter Pack, which makes running TOMRA S1 Rugged even more efficient:

Notify+Assist reverse vending notifications to help stores stay ahead of machine needs so staff and redeemers can avoid interruptions.
Weekly Digest operational reports so stores gain recycler insights to plan operations and maximize RVM efficiency.
myTOMRA consumer app for a personalized recycling experience and digital payout options that can be integrated with store loyalty programs.

TOMRA S1 Rugged is easy to clean and operate, containing smart sensors in the recognition module that communicate where and when to clean. As such, staff only spend time cleaning when needed, and the built-in cleaning program provides step-by-step visual guidance.

“The experience has been great. TOMRA S1 is quicker and more efficient, easy to clean and nice looking. It helps us to keep the flow and manage the demand for returns, and more people are able to redeem in a short amount of time,” said Jonathan Diaz, owner of Fine Fare, in Bronx, NY.

With TOMRA Flow Technology, the world’s first 360-degree container recognition system for reverse vending applications, the machine instantly detects barcodes and security marks. This allows users to insert containers rapidly in a continuous flow, increasing convenience for redeemers. TOMRA Flow Technology can recognize up to 42 containers per minute and the TOMRA S1 Rugged can hold up to 1,100 compacted PET bottles, 3,200 compacted cans or 350 glass bottles per bin.