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Throw bulbs, batteries, get vouchers with Reverse Vending Machines

Bee’ah is installing the Middle East’s first Reverse Vending Machines designed to collect and recycle domestic light bulbs and batteries across the UAE.

Supplied by UK-based Reverse Vending Corporation, the UAE will be the second country in the world, after the UK, to adapt and apply this cutting-edge technology.

“reVend® will help diminish the hazardous effects of waste on both human health and the environment,” said Khaled Al Huraimel, group chief executive officer, Bee’ah.

“The introduction of these machines will help Bee’ah achieve zero-waste to landfill in Sharjah — an objective which will catapult the emirate into the Environmental Capital of the Middle East and make it the first Arab city ever to divert 100 per cent of its waste from landfill.”

In recent years, with the amount of untreated waste growing at an alarming rate, recycling solutions for the lighting industry have garnered strong international interest. After all, used light bulbs often end up in landfills, which pose a significant danger to the environment and proves costly. The light bulb recycling machines will help increase the UAE’s recycling rates, keep hazardous waste out of the nation’s landfills and help companies meet their environmental performance targets.

Light bulbs that are not energy efficient will be banned across the UAE by the end of this year as the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (Esma) has expanded its range of efficiency standards to cover more electrical equipment and appliances. The new standards will require all light bulbs sold and used in the country to be eco-friendly as per the rating system. This would lead to an increased demand for CFL and LED light bulbs, in addition to an increased demand for recycling light bulbs and domestic batteries.

The machines accept all domestic light bulbs, including incandescent ones, CFLs, LEDs as well as any domestic batteries which contain valuable and scarce natural mineral resources or harmful materials such as lead and mercury.

Each light bulb is recognised by the machine’s Video Recognition Technology; from there, an easy-to-follow touch screen menu helps guide the recycler through his/her eco-journey. Once the user completes the recycling process, he/she will receive a reward incentive voucher. Through the machine, recyclers will have the option of donating their loyalty points to charity organisations; they can also be rewarded for their positive environmental efforts with redeemable points – as part of the myBee’ah Loyalty programme.

In 2012, Bee’ah introduced Reverse Vending Machines that accepts all types of plastic bottles and aluminium cans. Located throughout the UAE, the machines are interactive, boast touch screen capabilities and showcase affiliates of the myBee’ah Loyalty Programme.

news@khaleejtimes.com