Reverse Vending Machines Installed to Boost Waste Management

Phuentsholing Thromde, in collaboration with Ucykal Private Limited, has installed Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) at three strategic locations—Central Park, the Integrated Vegetable Market (IVM), and the Multilevel Car Parking (MLCP)—in a move to enhance waste management and promote responsible recycling practices within the city.
The RVMs accept PET bottles, glass bottles, and aluminum cans. Users who deposit these recyclable items will be rewarded with a monetary incentive: Nu 1 for every PET bottle and Nu 2 for each glass bottle or aluminum can. Officials believe this initiative will not only support proper waste disposal but also encourage community participation in recycling.
“This is a step toward creating a cleaner, more sustainable Phuentsholing,” said a Thromde official. “We hope that by providing incentives, more people will actively contribute to waste reduction and segregation at the source.”
According to Ucykal Private Limited, the system is designed to be user-friendly, enabling residents to conveniently exchange their recyclables for cash while helping reduce litter in public spaces. “Reverse vending technology has proven successful in many countries, and we are excited to introduce it here for the benefit of the environment and the community,” a representative from the company shared.
Ucykal Private Limited is a Bhutanese company that partners with local authorities to implement smart waste management solutions, particularly through the installation of Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs). These machines reward individuals for recycling plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and glass bottles, supporting Bhutan’s goal of achieving “Zero Waste Bhutan by 2030”. The company has collaborated with the Phuentsholing Thromde and Gelephu authorities on recent pilot projects.
Phuentsholing has faced increasing challenges with solid waste management due to population growth and rising consumption. Authorities say innovative solutions like RVMs are crucial in tackling these concerns.
“We encourage everyone to make use of these facilities,” the Thromde urged in a statement. “Keeping our environment clean is the responsibility of every individual.”
As the initiative rolls out, the Thromde will monitor usage and explore expanding the service to additional locations if the response from the public is encouraging.
Meanwhile, the pilot project featuring four RVMs were installed at key locations across a few locations in Gelephu in 2024 to commemorate the 117th National Day. The RVMs are located at the Central Regional Referral Hospital (CRRH) main entrance, GT Park, Gelephu Thromde office, and Gelephu Airport. The initiative aims to encourage waste management practices and promote a circular economy, where waste materials like PET bottles and aluminum cans are turned into valuable resources.
The machines allow individuals to deposit selected waste items and receive digital refunds, credited directly to their bank accounts (with BOBL as the initial partner). The machines use built-in IoT technology and artificial intelligence, which recognize the type of waste through QR codes.

Tashi Namgyal
From Thimphu