Lidl Ireland claims to be the first supermarket in the country to introduce a bulk feed reverse vending machine, improving the way customers can return their bottles and cans.
The new RVM Systems Mega machine is located at the Patrick Street store in Mullingar. It allows customers to deposit large volumes of containers quickly and efficiently, as part of Ireland’s Re-turn scheme.
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Lidl Ireland senior project manager Colin Walsh stated: “Customers in our Patrick Street store in Mullingar can now return large volumes of bottles and cans in a fraction of the time, by simply emptying their bags of containers into the feeder of our new state-of-the-art RVM Systems Mega machine.”
The machine, designed to sort and count the returned items, displays the deposit value on-screen, providing immediate feedback to the user.
Customers have the option to receive a deposit voucher or donate the value to Lidl’s charity partner.
Walsh added: “This investment further emphasises Lidl’s commitment to the deposit return scheme, and is one which we believe will provide a valuable facility to clubs and community groups in the Mullingar area and beyond for years to come.”
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By GlobalDataLidl initiated its in-store bottle return scheme trial in Glasgow in February 2024, offering shoppers unlimited cash rewards for returning empty polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic and aluminium drinks containers.
This initiative was a proactive response to the Scottish government’s delay in introducing its deposit return scheme (DRS), ensuring that customers could continue to recycle in-store. The scheme is expected to launch on 1 October 2027.
RVM Systems, the manufacturer of the Mega machine, offers collection solutions for used beverage containers, including PET bottles, cans and glass bottles.
With a global presence, RVM Systems has sold its innovative machines to more than 40 countries and operates subsidiaries in 20 countries.
