First reverse vending machines set up in Latvia

RIGA - Setting up the first reverse vending machines in Latvia began this week, Miks Sturitis, CEO at the packaging deposit system's implementer Depozita Iepakojuma Operators, told LETA.

The machines are set up by Tomra Collection Latvia, Latvian subsidiary of Norwegian manufacturer of collecting and sorting products Tomra Systems.

The first five reverse vending machines have been placed at Maxima, Rimi, Mego and Alko Outlet stores in Riga, as well as at Citro department store in Ventspils.

In total, around 800 reverse vending machines will be set up in Latvia, including 200 outdoor machines. The machines will become operable on February 1 next year, when the packaging deposit system will become effective in Latvia.

So far, agreements on installing reverse vending machines have been signed with Maxima Latvija, Rimi Latvia, Elvi iLatvija, Latvian Retail Management, Lenoka, Virsi-A, Circle K Latvia, Astarte Nafta, and Viada Baltija.

As reported, Latvia plans to launch its packaging deposit system on February 1, 2022.

Depozita Iepakojuma Operators was founded in June this year and belongs to Alus un Dzerienu Iepakojuma Savieniba (18.07 percent), Coca-Cola HBC Latvia (18.07 percent), Cesu Alus (12.05 percent), Cido Grupa (12.05 percent), PET Baltija (12.05 percent), Aldaris (12.05 percent), Latvian Retailers' Association (9.64 percent), and Latvian Beer Brewers' Association (6.02 percent), according to Firmas.lv.