In an effort to encourage better waste management practices and promote a circular economy, reverse vending machines have been installed at key locations under Gelephu Thromde. This was done as a pilot project to commemorate the National Day celebration last month. These machines turn waste materials into valuable resources, offering financial incentives to the public.
The Reverse Vending Machines have been installed at four key locations within Gelephu Thromde: the main entrance of Gelephu Hospital, Gelephu Thromde Park, the thromde office, and the Gelephu airport. DeSuups are stationed at each location to assist users in operating the machines. To encourage participation, the project offers a reward of Nu 3 for each plastic bottle, metal can and glass bottle in return. Individuals can return up to 20 bottles per day. The machines accept only plastic bottles, metal cans, and glass bottles. However, bottles are not accepted if they are oily. Waste will be recycled within Bhutan into pet bottles, fabric and other items.
Binu Rai, DeSuup said “We need data to operate the machine. If the data is unavailable, we can enter our mobile phone number and input the OTP received. This will generate a QR code, which can then be scanned. Currently, we manually paste the QR code, but in the future, it will be generated automatically during the manufacturing of the bottles in the factory.”
Residents have expressed that this initiative is a great way to make some money while also helping the environment. They can simply use the vending machine to drop off their bottles and receive a digital credit of Nu 3 into their BOB account, the project’s initial banking partner.
Kinley Choki, nurse at Gelephu Hospital said “I believe that exchanging a bottle for Nu 3 might seem like a loss on their part at first. However, once more waste is deposited here and people become accustomed to the system, I feel that Gelephu will become cleaner and it will promote better waste management.”
Shacha Wangmo, a resident said “In my opinion, Nu 3 in exchange of a bottle is a fair deal. Instead of leaving the bottles scattered around the house, I can use this exchange to buy something to eat for my kids, which is why I am bringing the bottles here.”
Ugyen Trading House in collaboration with Recykle, an Indian tech startup providing digital solutions for waste management gave the machines. Each one costs around Nu 1 M. With a budget of Nu 35 M, the project aims to expand the initiative into other districts in the future.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Kipchu
