Hey, great question! You’re looking for a public waste bin that can also handle bottle deposit returns. That’s a smart sustainability goal. Here are a few practical ideas I’ve come across that might help you find the right solution:
1. Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) with Integrated Trash Bins – Some companies like TOMRA or Diebold Nixdorf offer compact outdoor units that accept deposit bottles (plastic, aluminum, or glass) and have a separate compartment for general waste. Users insert bottles one at a time for a voucher or digital credit, while the adjacent bin takes regular trash. These are often used at parks, transit stations, or shopping centers.
2. Dual-Stream Public Bins with Deposit Slot – A growing trend is modifying standard public bins to include a dedicated bottle drop-off slot that stores bottles for manual collection by recycling crews. For example, the “Bin for Change” concept has a separate locked compartment for deposit items, which local charities can empty and redeem. This is simpler and cheaper than fully automated systems.
3. IoT-Enabled Smart Bins – Think of bins like the “Bigbelly” or “Enevo” series. Some models now offer modular add-ons for bottle deposit returns. You can configure a smart bin with a touchscreen scanner that reads bottle barcodes, credits a user’s app, and then drops the bottle into a secure internal bin, while the rest of the bin handles regular waste. This works well in high-traffic public spaces.
4. Community Drop-Off Points – If a fully integrated unit isn’t within your budget, consider placing a dedicated bottle return station next to standard public bins. For example, use a simple metal cage or lockable barrel labeled “Deposit Bottles Only” beside a regular trash bin. Many municipalities pair these with clear signage and partner with local bottle redemption centers.
For your specific need, I’d recommend checking out the Reverse Vending Machine from Envipco or the modular smart bin from Ecube Labs. They balance user convenience with robust public waste management. Just make sure you consider maintenance access, vandal resistance, and whether you want to reward users with deposits or simply collect for bulk redemption. Hope these spark some ideas for your project!