On September 7th, 2024, the Ecobarter Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) Model S02 was launched at The Central Park in Abuja, Nigeria, marking a key step forward in waste management and recycling. This new machine automates the collection, and rewarding of plastic bottles and aluminum cans for recycling purposes, offering a solution to Nigeria’s growing waste management challenges.
Nigeria generates an estimated 2.5 million tons of plastic waste annually, with millions of plastic bottles being discarded daily. Unfortunately, less than 12% of this waste is officially collected and recycled, according to a recent survey on Nigeria’s waste management practices. The rest ends up in landfills, waterways, or littered across the country, contributing to environmental degradation.
On the other hand, the macroeconomic situation in Nigeria has increased the per-unit value of both PET plastics and aluminium beverage cans. Rising material costs have made it more attractive for individuals to collect and sell these recyclables, creating an opportunity for increased recycling participation. This shift in value, coupled with the tokenized reward system of the Ecobarter RVM, offers a dual benefit: reducing environmental waste and boosting economic gains for the community
In addition to the environmental and socio-economic potential of this innovative machine, the Ecobarter RVM is locally designed and manufactured, tailored specifically to Nigeria’s infrastructure and user needs.
How the Ecobarter Reverse Vending Machine Works
The Ecobarter RVM is a sophisticated, compact system measuring 4x4x5 feet, designed to streamline the recycling process. It features five key systems that work in tandem to ensure an efficient, user-friendly experience:
- Collection System: The machine accepts empty plastic and aluminium beverage contai
ners, providing an accessible drop-off point for users.
- Identification and sorting System: Through the combination of several sensors and actuators, the machine identifies the type of container being deposited—plastic or aluminium—for accurate categorization.
- Counting System: Once identified, the RVM counts the number of containers deposited to determine the user’s reward.
- Crushing System: The containers are crushed to reduce volume
- Tokenization and Reward System: When users deposit empty plastic bottles or aluminium cans into the machine, they receive a receipt that can be scanned to claim points. These points are added to the user’s Ecobarter wallet via the Ecobarter web application, which serves as the default platform for managing rewards.
Ecobarter Reverse Vending Machine Features
- Made in Nigeria: The Ecobarter RVM is proudly designed and manufactured in Nigeria, with a focus on supporting the local economy and offering solutions suited to the local context.
- Local Language Support: The machine is enabled with local language functionality, ensuring that users across Nigeria can easily interact with it in their preferred language, increasing accessibility. The language includes English, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa
- Low Technology, Low Maintenance: With simplicity in mind, the Ecobarter RVM requires minimal technological know-how and low maintenance, making it ideal for various settings, from urban centers to rural areas. This ensures that the machine is fit for Nigeria’s unique infrastructure challenges and easy to deploy in different regions.
- User-Friendly Recycling Process: The machine collects, identifies, counts, crushes, and sorts empty plastic and aluminium beverage containers. In return, it offers users redeemable value through a tokenized reward system, encouraging greater participation in recycling efforts.
- Ecobarter Web Application Integration: Users claim their rewards through the Ecobarter web application, which serves as the default platform for redeeming recycling points. Buyers of the RVM will need to rely on this platform to manage reward payments, making the Ecobarter app central to the entire recycling process.
Public Testing at Central Park, Abuja
The ongoing public tests at The Central Park in Abuja provide valuable insights that will help refine the machine before its official launch, scheduled for October-November 2024. Feedback gathered from users during this phase will be crucial in improving the machine’s functionality and user experience. Adjustments based on this feedback will help ensure that the machine is perfectly tailored to the needs of Nigerian consumers.
Reverse vending machines are also known to boost foot traffic in host locations such as malls, parks, and stores. Studies have shown that these machines can increase visitors by as much as 10-25%. As Central Park becomes the first location to host the Ecobarter RVM, it will be fascinating to observe the impact on visitor numbers and the broader public engagement with recycling initiatives.
Future Prospects
If the public tests at Central Park prove successful, Ecobarter plans to expand the deployment of the RVM across Nigeria’s cities and states. This initiative could significantly contribute to cleaner public spaces, reduce plastic pollution, and drive a new culture of recycling. In addition, the machine’s compact design and flexibility make it easy to install in various high-traffic areas, from parks to shopping malls, with the potential to engage thousands of people daily.
With the Ecobarter RVM, recycling becomes not only easy but also rewarding. The integration with the Ecobarter app for point redemption offers users an immediate incentive to participate, while the machine’s built-in crushing and sorting systems make it efficient
and cost-effective for owners. The added option of Ecobarter’s recycling collection and logistics management makes it even more appealing for businesses looking to embrace sustainability without the hassle of managing the entire recycling process.
Conclusion
The Ecobarter Reverse Vending Machine is an exciting and impactful addition to Nigeria’s waste management landscape. Designed and built locally, it addresses the country’s specific infrastructure and technological needs, offering a low-tech, low-maintenance solution that empowers everyday Nigerians to participate in recycling. The ongoing public tests in Abuja are a vital step in refining this groundbreaking technology before its full rollout in late 2024.
As the machine gains traction, it is expected to increase foot traffic at Central Park and other host locations, while simultaneously helping to reduce the country’s plastic waste. The combination of user-friendly features, local context integration, and a well-thought-out reward system promises to make the Ecobarter RVM a game changer in Nigeria’s journey toward environmental sustainability.
