TOMRA Collection Serbia is a part of TOMRA, the global technology leader that provides solutions for enabling the circular economy with advanced collection and sorting systems, and food processing by employing sensor-based sorting and grading technology.  Altogether, TOMRA has approximately 105,000 installations in over 100 markets worldwide. Through its solutions, TOMRA is transforming how we all obtain, use, and reuse the planet’s resources to enable a world without waste.

At TOMRA, they are extremely proud of the positive environmental and social impact created using their products. Each and every year, TOMRA captures more than 45 billion used beverage containers for recycling across more than 60 global markets. This is what is referred to in sustainability circles as their “handprint”. They are also committed to minimising the environmental footprint of its products and operations, its “footprint”, working to embed circular and eco-design principles in product development processes and decision-making (including all materials and machine parts along their value chain), targeting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.Worldwide, more than 1.4 trillion bottles and cans are used every year.

While some of these containers are recycled, too many of them end up in streets, oceans, landfills and incinerators. At TOMRA, they strive to reduce society’s reliance on raw materials. Beverage containers recycled through reverse vending machines are collected and sorted without contamination from other types of waste. This ensures that they can be recycled into new bottles and cans again and again. This is a process the company calls Clean Loop Recycling. By making it easy, convenient, and rewarding for people to return their used containers, they enable bottles, cans, and other packaging to be continually recycled in a Clean Loop. Legislation plays a crucial role in shaping recycling practices.

Deposit return systems are an effective method for achieving high collection rates (over 90%). These systems significantly reduce litter and encourage recycling. More and more nearby markets are introducing deposit return systems, with Romania starting theirs on 30th November 2023 and Hungary starting theirs on 1st of January 2024. Croatia has had a deposit return system since 2006. Public support for deposit return systems is high - and growing - and hopefully more countries in the region will continue to consider this approach. They can take inspiration from successful models and prioritise public awareness campaigns to foster a recycling-friendly culture.

TOMRA Collection Serbia was opened in 2022 with the goal to support citizens and stakeholders in Serbia and the region on their beverage container recycling journey. They can support initiatives such as Clean Loop Recycling pilots and voluntary projects, support stakeholders during the introduction of the deposit return system by sharing the best practices from various global markets. They also work continuously to raise awareness among citizens and industry so that together, they can contribute to a world without waste through innovative resource management solutions.