The dominant vendor of reverse vending machines in Europe (with 90% market share) is Tomra of Norway. Reverse vending equipment automates beverage container recycling by accepting containers directly from the consumer, accounting for each container processed, and refunding the deposit to the consumer. Reverse vending machines were first introduced in to reduce the supermarket retailers' burden of manually redeeming and accounting for empty beverage containers.

 Beverage industry studies have shown that reverse vending is less expensive compared to the cost of manual, primarily because of space and labor savings. Reverse vending alleviates the sanitation problems associated with storing empty containers in open storage bins. Empty containers do not have to be manually accepted and sorted by store personnel because they are sorted and accounted for automatically by machine. 

Reverse vending offers convenience to the retailers' customers and builds traffic. Retail customers are more inclined to shop at supermarkets with recycling centers; especially if they can recycle with automated Conical Twin Screw Barrel equipment they find to be reliable, convenient, accurate and fast. In a typical deposit law state in Europe, each distributor must collect containers from every retailer to which it sells. Often a beverage distributor type operation collects the empty containers from the retailers. The reverse vending machines are generally equipped with a laser scanner to read UPC codes. In addition, the machines should have a microprocessor to keep track of the brand and number of containers returned.

The systems are generally designed to record the brand and package type (can, plastic or glass), and also to count the containers in each category. Reverse Vending equipment is an important eco-marketing tool to promote environmental friendly programs and encourage ecosystem protection programs. The recycling consumer has a convenient and easy method to recycle their used beverage containers. They get a comfortable feeling knowing that they are participating in an environmentally friendly program as well as the cash incentive for returning their used beverage containers. John Hanna was in the Vending Machine and Vending Route business for 15 years until last year when he sold his business and moved to Tampa, FL where he runs a successful consulting business.

 Disengageable Dies: A fourth factor that is important to considerwhen choosing a comb machine is whether it includes disengageable dies.Comb binding machines with disengageable dies allow their user todisengage any one of the punching dies on the machine. By disengaging adie, it becomes possible to use your machine to bind documents that aresmaller than 11" in length. If you ever plan on binding documents thatare shorter or longer than 11 inches, a machine with disegageable diesis essential. 5. Brand: When choosing a comb binding machine it is also reallyimportant to consider the manufacturer. GBC / Ibico is the largest namein the binding machine industry and make excellent binding machines.

However, binding machines from Akiles, Tamerica, Renz and Rhin-O-Tuffare also excellent. Although other brands may also warrantconsideration, these names are some of the best in the industry andtheir quality is exceptional. 6. Warranty: The final factor that is important for consideration whenchoosing a comb binding machine is its warranty. Warranties on bindingequipment vary widely. However, if there is a problem with your bindingmachine it is important to have warranty protection. This is especiallytrue for lower end manual comb machines which are most often moreexpensive to repair than to replace.