Latest news with #ReverseVendingMachines
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
'Green credit' scheme for recycling plastic bottles launched in Lahore
Listen to article A new eco-friendly initiative has been launched in Lahore aimed at tackling plastic pollution by incentivising citizens to recycle used plastic bottles, it emerged on Monday. Under the programme, residents can deposit empty plastic bottles into Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) and earn up to Rs1,000 in 'Green Credit' per kilogram of plastic — roughly 20 one-and-a-half litre bottles. The project, led by ISP Environmental Solutions with support from the Intratech Group and the World Bank, is part of Punjab's Environmental Protection Agency's Green Credit Program. The project aims to transform how urban waste is managed and perceived by offering financial incentives in exchange for used plastic. Lahore produces about 500 tons of plastic waste daily, much of which pollutes waterways and landfills, according to Intratech Group Chairperson Gulfam Abid. 'These new Reverse Vending Machines will collect single-use plastic items, including bottles, cups and plates,' he explained. 'The collected material will be repurposed into raw materials for footpaths, road repairs and environmentally sustainable bricks.' Read: Tariff cut on chemicals, plastic stokes concerns Each RVM is capable of storing up to 25kgs of plastic and is equipped with weight-sensitive sensors that reject non-plastic materials. Users simply insert the bottles into a designated slot, press button 'A,' enter their mobile number, and press button 'B' to view their credit details on the screen. The same information is also accessible via a dedicated mobile application. The app not only tracks credit but also connects users directly with waste dealers. Citizens can sell their plastic through the platform, and company representatives will collect the items from their location. More than 18,000 local scrap dealers have been onboarded into the system, and they too can earn green credit in addition to their regular profits. In the initial phase, the machines are being installed at four private universities in Lahore. Later, the project will expand to both public and private spaces. While the machines are locally manufactured in Pakistan, they incorporate advanced Chinese technology. Each unit costs around Rs800,000 to produce. An 'Eco Bricks Plant' has also been established in the Sundar Industrial Estate as part of the program. It will manufacture construction-grade bricks using the collected plastic. The plant's inauguration is scheduled for July. Officials emphasize that the project goes beyond just installing machines — its broader goal is to instill a sense of environmental stewardship among the public. 'We want people to view plastic not as waste, but as a valuable resource that can be reused for environmental and economic gain,' one official said.
Mid East Info
19-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Majid Al Futtaim Collaborates with Coca-Cola Middle East and Sparklo Furthering its Commitment to Promoting Circular Communities
The partnership will see Coca-Cola Middle East sponsor a few Reverse Vending Machines RVMs in key Carrefour locations, serving as an extension to Carrefour's existing recycling efforts. The aim is to collect 1.8 million bottles a year, which can reduce CO ₂ emissions. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 2025 : Majid Al Futtaim, which owns the exclusive rights to operate Carrefour in the UAE, announces its partnership with Coca-Cola Middle East and Sparklo, a UAE-based cleantech company, to boost Carrefour recycling efforts under the Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) initiative. This collaboration, driven by a shared commitment to building a community of eco-conscious customers and a focus on innovation, will see Coca-Cola co-operate RVMs in key Carrefour locations across the UAE, building on the programme's proven success in promoting collection and recycling and contributing to the UAE's ambitious sustainability agenda. Carrefour's RVM initiative, powered by Sparklo's innovative technology, was launched in July 2023, and since then it has empowered customers to actively support circularity by incentivising recycling. Using the Sparklo app, users earn points for each item recycled and they can redeem the points for rewards from participating partners. Rewards include savings at Carrefour, discounted taxi rides, among others. Based on the 2024 Sparklomats RVMs results, the partnership is projected to collect over 1.8 million plastic bottles and aluminium cans annually, with an average of over 1,000 containers per day, helping to contribute to CO₂ emissions reduction. Commenting on the partnership, Jean-Luc Graziato, Chief Operating Officer at Majid Al Futtaim – Retail , said: 'We are committed to playing an active role in advancing sustainability across the UAE, in support of the nation's vision for environmental leadership and its ambitious goals around waste reduction and responsible consumption. Our partnership with Coca-Cola and Sparklo is a powerful example of how collaboration can drive scalable impact. By leveraging advanced technologies, we are transforming our retail spaces to serve greater purpose; empowering customers to actively participate in building a circular economy.' 'At Coca-Cola, we aim to grow our business in ways that drive positive change and build a more sustainable future for our planet. Through our partnership with Majid Al Futtaim and Sparklo, we are making it easier for people in the UAE to recycle and contribute to circularity and sustainability. This initiative is part of our broader efforts to improve waste collection and strengthen local recycling infrastructure, helping to build a circular economy where packaging is collected, recycled, and reused,' said Andrew Buckingham, Vice President and General Manager at The Coca-Cola Company Middle East. 'We're glad to see our joint initiative with Majid Al Futtaim now supported by Coca-Cola. It shows a shared commitment to making it simple and engaging for people to recycle bottles and cans. Together, we're building the infrastructure to collect every bottle in the UAE and show what real progress on sustainability can look like,' added Maxim Kaplevich, Founder and CEO of Sparklo. The collaboration also supports the ambitions of the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2031, which aims to divert 75% of waste from landfills by 2030 by promoting recycling, reusing material, and reducing reliance on raw resources. Through the initiative, Carrefour, Coca-Cola, and Sparklo are accelerating the UAE's transition towards a waste-free, circular economy. The co-operated machines are located across Carrefour stores at Ibn Battuta Mall, City Centre Mirdiff, City Centre Deira, and Burjuman Mall in Dubai, and Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi. About Majid Al Futtaim Retail: Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is an Emirati-owned, diversified lifestyle conglomerate operating shopping malls, communities, retail and leisure outlets, across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The Group employs 43,000 people, with owned assets valued at US$19 billion, and has the highest credit rating ( BBB) among privately held corporates in the region. Majid Al Futtaim Retail holds the exclusive rights to operate Carrefour across 12 markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, with a network of over 390 stores. It is also the owner and operator of HyperMax, a new grocery retail brand with 44 locations in Jordan and Oman. Additionally, the Group operates Supeco, its latest grocery retail concept—a low-cost hybrid model that combines a traditional supermarket with a wholesale warehouse—across 15 locations in Egypt, and Myli, the Group's health and beauty brand, operating in 12 stores across Asia and North Africa. To meet the growing needs of its diverse customer base and communities, Majid Al Futtaim Retail offers omnichannel customer experiences tailored to the needs of the modern consumer. Through its innovative physical and digital customer services, Majid Al Futtaim Retail provides access to an unrivalled choice of quality products, at unbeatable value for over 700,000 customers it serves daily. Aligning with the Group's commitment to support local economies, local producers and suppliers, Majid Al Futtaim Retail resources over 80 percent of its products from the region. About Coca-Cola Middle East: The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. The Coca-Cola Company Middle East operation spans across 12 markets including GCC countries, Iraq, Yemen and the Levant. With 23 bottling plants across the region, our portfolio includes nearly 20 sparkling soft drink brands including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Thums Up, QJ, Canada Dry and Schweppes; our hydration and juice brands include Arwa, Crystal, Al Waha, Dasani minera, Safia, Minute Maid, Cappy, Fuze Tea and glaceau smartwater. Our company's purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference and we're constantly transforming our portfolio to bring innovative new products with something for everyone. We also seek to positively impact people's lives, communities and the planet through our sustainability initiatives – from water replenishment to waste management, recycling to women empowerment initiatives while we continue to create a rewarding ecosystem for our employees, partners, consumers and customers. About Sparklo: Sparklo is a global UAE-based cleantech company that revolutionises the recycling industry and encourages sustainable practices worldwide. Through its innovative reverse vending machines (RVMs) known as Sparklomats, the company motivates users to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans by offering engaging rewards. Sparklo's cutting-edge software and hardware solutions utilise AI and machine learning to optimise recycling processes, making it fun and easy for individuals to contribute to a sustainable lifestyle. With a growing network of more than 250,000 users in the UAE alone, Sparklo collects over 200,000 bottles and cans daily. The company operates in over ten countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and Georgia.
Al Etihad
10-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
ADNOC Distribution burnishes its ESG credentials
10 June 2025 17:31 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI) ADNOC Distribution has demonstrated significant strides in its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda throughout 2024, as outlined in its comprehensive annual ESG report submitted to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). This report not only highlights the company's progress but also underscores its commitment to sustainability as a fundamental aspect of its long-term strategy, signalling an ambition to lead the energy sector's transition towards a lower-carbon future. The year 2024 was marked by a series of tangible achievements across its six sustainability pillars, reflecting a dedication to transparency and stakeholder the realm of Climate, Emissions, & Energy, ADNOC Distribution achieved notable success with 100% of its UAE fleet operating on biofuels, leading to a substantial annual emissions reduction. All energy supplied for electric vehicle (EV) chargers is now derived from clean and renewables-based sources, with significant solar photovoltaic energy (5,083 MWh PV) generated from service station rooftops in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The company also expanded its EV charging network to 220 fast and super-fast chargers and launched the second phase of its H₂GO pilot green hydrogen refuelling station. For the Local Environment, initiatives included planting over 25,000 mangrove seeds and collecting more than 5.8 million bottles through Reverse Vending Machines, alongside recording zero negative impacts on biodiversity and consistently conducting HSE impact company's Economic and Social Contribution saw it achieve a 71.4% In-Country Value contribution, alongside reporting its highest EBITDA since IPO at Dh3.86 billion and revenues of Dh35.45 billion. Investment in CSR initiatives was substantial, and the expansion of retail fuel infrastructure continued. Significant progress was made in Workforce Diversity and Development, with ADNOC Distribution employing a diverse workforce of 77 nationalities and increasing women's representation across various management and STEM roles. The Emiratisation rate surpassed 62%, and extensive training, wellbeing initiatives, and ESG awareness programmes were delivered to employees. Under Health, Safety, & Security, the company maintained an impressive safety record with zero fatalities and high-consequence work-related injuries, implementing fatigue management systems and conducting numerous HSE audits. Lastly, in Business Sustainability, an ESG Subcommittee was established at the Board level to embed sustainability into strategic decision-making. The company also secured ISO 22241 certification for ADNOC Blue, successfully met KPIs under its sustainability-linked loan, and enhanced its ESG ratings, leading to inclusion in prestigious ESG-linked company's leadership emphasised the strategic significance of these accomplishments. Eng. Bader Saeed Al Lamki, Chief Executive Officer, ADNOC Distribution, expressed his pride in the "remarkable strides ADNOC Distribution has made in our ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible growth." He specifically highlighted the expansion of the EV charging network, which quadrupled its reach, stating: "This expansion supports the UAE's transition to cleaner energy and makes sustainable mobility more accessible than ever." Paula Disberry, Chairwoman of the ESG Subcommittee, ADNOC Distribution, articulated her belief that "sustainability is not just a responsibility—it is an opportunity to drive long-term value for our stakeholders." She underscored that 2024 was "a pivotal year for ADNOC Distribution's ESG agenda,' marked by the establishment of the ESG Subcommittee to integrate risks, opportunities, and stakeholder expectations into business strategies. Athmane Benzerroug, Chief Strategy, Transformation, and Sustainability Officer, ADNOC Distribution, confirmed the company's advanced sustainability efforts "with a heightened sense of responsibility and a clear path forward.' He detailed the decarbonisation roadmap, aiming to reduce carbon intensity by 25% by 2030 and accelerate Net Zero by 2045, further adding, "Our focus on sustainable energy has reached new heights with the successful expansion of our hydrogen infrastructure."
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Pick n Pay celebrates World Environment Day with major recycling milestone
Since launching the pilot in 2018, the RVM initiative grew into a national network of 39 machines across Pick n Pay stores in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape. Image: Supplied. Marking World Environment Day 2025 on 5 June 2025, with this year's theme of 'Ending Plastic Pollution', South Africa's major retailer, Pick n Pay celebrated a major environmental milestone: its Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) customer recycling initiative, which has now diverted over 1.1 million plastic and packaging recyclable items from landfill. Since launching the pilot in 2018, the RVM initiative grew into a national network of 39 machines across Pick n Pay stores in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape. Each machine accepts recyclable items, such as plastic bottles, aluminium cans, and glass containers, and rewards customers with Smart Shopper loyalty points, which can be used for everyday purchases. 'What started as a small test has evolved into a movement. This programme has shown that people are willing to recycle when it's made convenient, accessible, and rewarding,' Riley van Rooyen, Sustainability Lead at Pick n Pay, said. As of May 2025, the initiative collected and diverted over 1.1 million recyclable items from landfill, resulting in over 80 000 kgs of waste recycled and an estimated 1 200 tonnes of CO₂e emissions avoided. Customers received a total of over R135 000 in recycling rewards since the pilot launched, and over R56 000 in Smart Shopper points since the integration with the programme in August last year. Each machine can hold up to 750 items and uses barcode recognition technology to ensure the correct sorting of recyclables. 'Ending plastic pollution isn't a one-day project. But this initiative proves that scalable, community-led environmental solutions work. And on this World Environment Day, we're proud to celebrate our plastic reduction initiatives wins with our customers and our partners in the project, who've helped us take over a million small steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable future,' van Rooyen added. The retailer has exceeded its Plastic Pact 2025 target for packaging weight, reporting a 38% reduction in average packaging weight. This also builds on the retailer's broader efforts to reduce waste in the environment. Last year, it diverted nearly 13,000 tonnes of waste from its stores, equivalent to the weight of approximately 2 100 average adult male elephants Through its regular beach clean-ups, it has removed nearly 2,000kg of plastic waste from local beaches over the past five years.
The South African
05-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
Pick n Pay celebrates major environmental milestone
To mark World Environment Day 2025 on Thursday, 5 June and this year's theme of 'Ending Plastic Pollution', Pick n Pay is celebrating a major environmental milestone. Its Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) customer recycling initiative has diverted over 1.1 million plastic and packaging recyclable items from landfill. The milestone marks a significant win in Pick n Pay's long-term commitment to supporting circular economies and empowering everyday shoppers to play a direct role in reducing plastic waste. Since launching the pilot in 2018, the RVM initiative has grown into a national network of 39 machines across Pick n Pay stores in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape. Twelve new RVM machines were added in the past 12 months. Each machine accepts recyclable items, such as plastic bottles, aluminium cans, and glass containers, and rewards customers with Smart Shopper loyalty points, which can be used for everyday purchases. 'What started as a small test has evolved into a movement. This programme has shown that people are willing to recycle when it's made convenient, accessible, and rewarding,' says Riley van Rooyen, Sustainability Lead at Pick n Pay, reflecting on the success of the programme. As of May 2025, the initiative has collected and diverted over 1.1 million recyclable items from landfill, resulting in over 80 000kg of waste recycled and an estimated 1 200 tonnes of CO₂e emissions avoided. Customers have received a total of over R135 000 in recycling rewards since the pilot launched, and over R56 000 in Smart Shopper points since the integration with the programme in August last year. Each machine can hold up to 750 items and uses barcode recognition technology to ensure the correct sorting of recyclables. Customers simply scan their items and instantly receive Smart Shopper points, which they tend to use for groceries, airtime, and data. Prior to the integration with Smart Shopper, customers received recycling rewards through Imagined Earth. 'Ending plastic pollution isn't a one-day project. But this initiative proves that scalable, community-led environmental solutions work. And on this World Environment Day, we're proud to celebrate our plastic reduction initiatives wins with our customers and our partners in the project, who've helped us take over a million small steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable future,' says Van Rooyen. Despite focusing on a wider business turnaround strategy in FY25, Pick n Pay's sustainability team continued to deliver meaningful progress. By prioritising high-impact, customer-facing initiatives – such as RVMs and packaging innovations – Pick n Pay maintained momentum on key environmental goals. The retailer has exceeded its Plastic Pact 2025 target for packaging weight, reporting a 38% reduction in average packaging weight. This also builds on the retailer's broader efforts to reduce waste in the environment. Last year, it diverted nearly 13 000 tonnes of waste from its stores, the weight of approximately 2 100 average male adult elephants. Through its regular beach clean-ups, it has removed nearly 2 000kg of plastic waste from local beaches over the past five years. 1. Fourways Mall 2. Fourways Crossing 3. New Redruth 4. Waterkloof Rand 5. Benmore 6. Southgate 7. Key West 8. Dainfern Square 9. Lenasia 10. Kensington 11. Bedfordview 12. Randburg Square 13. Montana 14. Southdowns 15. Plantland 16. Hazeldean Square 17. Irene Village Mall 18. Boksburg 19. Hyper Centurion 20. Greenstone Hyper 21. Sasolburg 22. Vaal Mall 23. Three Rivers 24. The Glen 25. Mall Of Africa 26. Rosebank 27. The Falls 28. Carnival Mall 29. Kyalami on Main 30. Sunward Park 31. Primrose 32. Kenilworth Centre 33. Constantia 34. V&A Waterfront 35. Gardens 36. Umhlanga Crescent 37. Hilton Family 38. Summerstrand 39. Blue Hills Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
