150 soums for each container: Fandomats installed in Uzbekistan
In Uzbekistan, reverse vending machines (fandomats) have been launched that accept plastic, glass, and aluminum beverage containers, paying 150 soums for each. Citizens can transfer the funds to their Click electronic wallet or direct them to charity.
150 soums for each container: Fandomats installed in Uzbekistan
According to information provided by the Agency for Waste Management and Circular Economy Development, one of the devices was installed and put into operation in front of the building of the Ecology Committee, and another in the center of the Surxondaryo region.
This initiative was launched as part of a pilot project implemented in cooperation between the agency and TOMRA, a Norwegian company operating in the field of automatic waste collection and sorting technologies. The project is aimed at encouraging the separate collection of beverage containers and submitting them for recycling.
A citizen using the fandomat can choose one of two options. In the first option, 150 soums for each accepted container will be transferred to their Click electronic wallet. In the second option, the funds will be directed to charitable purposes and tree planting initiatives.
According to the agency, the main goal of the project is to turn waste sorting into a daily habit and to increase the ecological culture of the population. It is also aimed at showing that used beverage containers are a recyclable resource with economic value.
If the pilot project proves successful, it is planned to gradually install fandomats in other crowded areas of the republic as well.