The reverse vending machines in Gelephu Thromde, installed to promote better waste management practices, seem to be a success. The mechanisms give you money in return for used bottles deposited in the machines. Since its launch in December of last year, more than Nu 1 M has been paid out so far.
The four vending machines installed at various key locations under the Thromde see frequent customers almost every day.
So far, the machines have collected 354,094 numbers of cans and bottles from 2,955.
For each metal can, plastic bottle or glass bottle, the machines offer a reward of Nu 3 to the depositor.
Besides the monetary reward, residents say the initiative is helping keep the surroundings neat and waste-free.
Tshoki Lhamu, a resident said, “It is beneficial in the sense that it helps keep the surroundings clean and we can also earn some cash.”
Another resident Nima Tshomo said “Instead of throwing away the bottles carelessly and creating wastes, it’s better to bring them here.”
Yeshey Lhamo, who is also a resident said “It’s better to come here. We get Nu 3 for each bottle.”
Likewise, Til Badhur Gurung said “The scrap dealers don’t give much but here people get Nu 3 for a bottle. Everyone’s bringing their trash bottles here.”
The machines were installed under a joint project between a local private company called the Ugyen Trading House and Recykal, an Indian tech start-up company that provides digital solutions for waste management.
Besides expanding to other districts, the project also has plans to start a factory that produces garments from recycled wastes.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
