Latest news with #Vending
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Independence Day: SWR, Mysuru division, outlines significant railway milestones
The Mysuru division of the South Western Railway celebrated the 79th Independence Day here on Friday, during which, significant milestones of the division were highlighted. Mudit Mittal, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), hoisted the national flag at the Mysuru Railway Sports Ground, and outlined the notable milestones of the division over the past six to seven months. He listed the successful completion of canal work between Arsikere and Honnavalli with a 10-day traffic suspension line (TSL) — a first for the division; installation of 160 kW solar panels at Davangere, Balenahalli, and Chikjajur, resulting in savings of ₹29 lakh; and completion of electrification works in the Sakleshpur–Donigal and Shiribagilu–Subrahmanya Road sections. Mr. Mittal said that the Chikjajur–Raidurg section is set to become the division's first 25T axle load route, and on the safety and security front, he pointed out that the Railway Protection Force (RPF) rescued 69 children in need of care and protection. With reference to passenger service and operational improvements, Mr. Mittal said that the introduction of e-auction for parking, catering, and pay-and-use toilet contracts, and a parcel management system, had helped streamline the operations and improved user convenience. As part of the passenger amenities, the division launched 'Margadarshak' — a QR code-based smart guidance mobile app at Mysuru Railway Station — and commissioned 11 new Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), said Mr. Mittal. Mr. Mittal also spoke on environmental initiatives of the Railways, and pointed out that the DRM's office was now a plastic-free zone. He commended the railway staff for their teamwork, reiterating the motto 'Safety First' and the division's commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and passenger-friendly services. There were cultural performances and events reflecting the spirit of freedom, unity, and progress to mark the occasion. The event was attended by Additional Divisional Railway Manager Shamas Hameed, Divisional Commercial Manager Girish Dharmaraj Kalagonda, all branch officers, staff, representatives of trade unions and associations, Scouts & Guides, and members of the Women's Welfare Organisation, among others.
Express Tribune
30-06-2025
- 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.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coca-Cola Machines Now Pay You for Empty Bottles
Imagine getting rewarded just for doing the right thing — that's what Coca-Cola is doing to fight plastic pollution and promote sustainable habits. The beverage giant is rolling out Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) that pay you back in points for every empty bottle you return. Coca-Cola's Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) are innovative recycling kiosks designed to encourage sustainable behavior by rewarding users for recycling empty beverage containers. Depending on the model, these machines accept plastic bottles and aluminum cans, scanning each item to verify its recyclability. Once accepted, the containers are compacted and stored for collection. Users earn reward points through a connected mobile app, which can be redeemed for discounts on Coca-Cola products or other incentives. This initiative promotes recycling and supports Coca-Cola's broader sustainability goals by integrating recycled materials back into the production cycle. It's a much-needed positive step for Coca-Cola, one of the world's largest plastic polluters. While RVMs themselves have a longer history (the first prototype by TOMRA was established in 1972), Coca-Cola'' specific initiative to incorporate them into their recycling and reward programs appears to have started in July 2018 during the Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle. These pilot machines were part of the company's 'World Without Waste' initiative, aiming to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can it sells globally by 2030. The RVMs allowed visitors to deposit PET bottles or aluminum cans, with each item triggering a five-cent donation to Special Olympics Washington and providing participants with additional resources via text message. Shortly after, in the same month, Coca-Cola Great Britain partnered with Merlin Entertainments to launch a summer trial of RVMs at several UK theme parks, including Alton Towers Resort and LEGOLAND Windsor. These early implementations marked Coca-Cola's initial steps in integrating RVMs into public spaces, which have since expanded to various regions, including India. In India, the first RVM was installed in 2016. At that time, the benefits of using RVMs were mostly framed as societal contributions through charity and donations, rather than personal rewards. Several years later, RVMs can now be found across various regions in the country, and as of this writing, these machines personally reward recyclers with points that can be redeemed for perks. The most recent installations of RVMs in India were in Puri, Odisha. Installed by Biocrux India Pvt. Ltd., these machines are capable of compacting plastic bottles by up to 70%, storing as many as 800 bottles before collection. Users are rewarded with points for every bottle deposited through the Biocrux mobile app, which can be redeemed for discounts on Coca-Cola products. The collected plastic is responsibly recycled into new materials such as clothing, bags, and secondary packaging. Equipped with digital display screens, the machines also serve as platforms for environmental education and foster community involvement. A centralized dashboard enables remote monitoring of machine performance to ensure operational efficiency. During the project inauguration, Abhimanyu Behera, Executive Officer of Puri Municipality, emphasized the importance of collaboration: 'Maintaining cleanliness in Puri is a shared responsibility that requires strong collaboration between public and private stakeholders. We appreciate the efforts of Coca-Cola India and its partners in supporting waste management and recycling through technology and public participation. Initiatives like this not only enhance civic engagement but also set a precedent for other cities to follow.' Rajesh Ayapilla, Senior Director of Sustainability and CSR at Coca-Cola India and South West Asia, highlighted the collective nature of waste management: 'Waste management requires long-term collaboration between industry, citizens, and government. By introducing reverse vending machines in Puri, we're enabling people to take simple yet meaningful steps to make recycling part of everyday behaviour. This effort complements our ongoing public awareness campaign, Maidaan Saaf, which encourages collective responsibility and action around recycling and waste management.' These efforts align with Coca-Cola's global Partner to Collect ambition, which is a key element of its broader sustainability goals. The commitment focuses on strengthening packaging recovery by investing in effective collection systems and increasing the use of recycled materials in primary packaging. Sources: The Cool Down, Media Brief Read the original article on GEEKSPIN. Affiliate links on GEEKSPIN may earn us and our partners a commission.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
KSPCB chooses ‘End Plastic Pollution' as Environment Day theme
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has chosen 'End Plastic Pollution' as the theme of World Environment Day which will be celebrated on June 5. KSPCB Chairman P.M. Narendraswamy on Thursday said that various events will be held in Bengaluru to mark the day, including a mass tree plantation drive, photo contest, green selfie challenge, online quiz contest, graffiti contest, walkathon and cyclothon. Exhibitions on sustainable product demonstration, green energy demonstration, showcase of startups in new technologies, carbon credit for farmers concept promotion, e-waste recycling programme, and documentary screening of Environment related progrmmes will also be held. He added that an environment awareness campaign, street play, carbon footprint awareness, carbon footprint audit for organisations and waste audit awareness would also be organised on the occasion. An environmental walk will also be organised in front of the steps on the entrance of the Vidhana Soudha, and around 3,000 people, including ministers, dignitaries, officers, Scouts and Guides, and NCC Cadets, will participate in the celebrations to spread environmental concerns. Mr. Narendraswamy said Chief Minister Siddaramiah will hand over the Karnataka State Environment Awards to individuals and organisations who have rendered significant services in the field of environment protection. He said that ₹50 lakh would be provided to producing or making environment related films. He added that KSPCB has proposed installing Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) in local civic bodies to recycle plastic bottles. 'When plastic bottles are inserted into the RVM kiosks they will be crushed and in turn it will reward ₹ 1 to the person depositing the plastic bottle. By this way we can keep our cities clean, recycle the plastic and the person who deposits the bottle will also get a reward,' he added. S.S. Lingaraja, member secretary, KSPCB said about 1,65,000 checks have been conducted across the state in the last three years, during which around 1,012 tonnes of banned plastics have been seized and a fine of ₹5.6 crore has been collected.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$2 million awarded for innovative economic development in Texarkana
TEXARKANA, USA (KTAL/KMSS)—The T.L.L. Temple Foundation has awarded a $2 million grant to fuel economic development in Texarkana. The City will distribute the funding to three interconnected local economic development initiatives. 'We use it for REDI Set Move, which is moving remote workers to the Texarkana area. So we'll be able to expand that program as well,' says Brandy Eldridge, Director of the Assembly Line. The entrepreneurial competition Pitch It Texarkana will also get a share of the money. Eldridge says, 'Pitch It Texarkana will be able to reach more people, more entrepreneurs.' Texarkana Health & Wellness Fair connects community with resources Entrepreneurs like Amber Adams and Chloe Young, who took home the grand prize of $10,000 at this year's competition for Split Vending, which will add tourism vending machines on Stateline Avenue. 'The really cool thing about Pitch It Texarkana is that even if you don't win, there are so many partnerships and people in the room who are willing to help,' says Adams. One of the many perks of the competition, aside from the prize money and a custom-designed logo from Fab/co, is that contestants get access to the upcoming small business incubator, The Assembly Line, which will also receive support from the grant. 'It'll allow us to create a co-working space for more people to come in, more small businesses to start providing education and mentorship programs to our region,' says Eldridge. Texarkana Wine Fest supports Alzheimer's Alliance fundraising The Assembly Line's downtown Texarkana home in the old Discovery Place children's museum is still under construction. They say the foundation grant is a game changer for them and the city. 'This is the first time they have invested in an incubator co-working space. They've never done that before, but when you look at all the development that we are seeing in Texarkana and the economic ecosystem that we're developing here, the assembly line is going to be a hub for that,' says Eldridge. They expect the Assembly Line to be ready in early 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
