Western Kentucky University installs reverse vending machines on campus

Western Kentucky University has recently installed four reverse vending machines on campus to help keep recyclable cans and bottles out of the landfill. In order to have the machines installed, Western Kentucky University worked with ATLAS RVM Systems and Clark Beverage Group, their bottlers and distributors.

According to an article on Western Kentucky University’s website, Dr. Leslie North, who is the university’s Director of Sustainability, shared her enthusiasm for the new reverse vending machines. She is quoted as saying, “We are proud to be the first university in Kentucky to partner with our beverage bottlers and distributors to ‘close the loop’ and recycle near the same point of sale.” Dr. North added, “As supplies of raw materials continue to diminish and waste management facilities continue to become increasingly strained, the importance of recycling grows greater and greater. Partnerships between producers and users in systems are critical to maximize the benefits of sustainability related programs, such as recycling and other waste reduction measures. Through this partnership we have not only established additional recycling points for our campus community, but we are now also able to better incentive recycling efforts on campus and reduce contamination in our recycling stream. With time, we are hopeful the sorting mechanism built into the devices will also allow us to recycle aluminum locally, promoting an infinitely recyclable loop of that material.”

The reverse vending machines, which have been installed in the Innovation Campus break room, outside the Preston Health and Activities Center, in Cherry Hall, and in Grise Hall, have an interactive screen and a chute to accept the cans and bottles, which are then sorted and crushed for recycling.

Renee Bedford, the Director of Sustainability at Atlas RVM Systems, shared her thoughts about the partnership that has allowed the company to install the reverse vending machines, saying, “We are thrilled to be working together with Clark Beverage Group and WKU to help to highlight the importance of recycling for the protection of the planet. The machines mean that more individuals play their part by acting sustainably and the fun and interactivity of the machines helps to connect communities. The RVMs act as a catalyst for change and we are proud to be working with organizations that want to genuinely make a difference and mitigate the impact on the planet’s finite resources.”

The reverse vending machines with their interactive screens introduce the possibility of incentivizing recycling on campus, such as through recycling rate competitions.

For more information about Western Kentucky University, visit the school’s website.