Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU) officially open a Reverse Vending Machine to all its students.

The Reverse Vending Machine is an initiative made possible through joint funding from Reading University Students’ Union and The University of Reading’s Annual Fund Campaign. The machine will encourage students to recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans when on campus.

Julie Caulfield, Communications Manager at RUSU said: “The Reverse Vending Machine is a great initiative for RUSU – we are the first in the South East and the first university nationwide to install an incentive based method for recycling”.

Reverse Vending Machines (RVM) utilise advanced technology to identify, sort, collect and automatically process used drinks containers ready for recycling. The machine will produce token receipts for each item recycled, allowing the user to benefit financially.

“Each time a student uses the machine, they will earn one point, which they can spend in the Union’s Juice Bar.

Situated at the entrance of The Hub on Whiteknights Campus, Wicked Juice Bar is new to the Union building.

The Juice Bar serves up freshly made smoothies and juices, to encourage students to eat, drink and think healthy living” added Julie Caulfield.

The RVM brings numerous business benefits to RUSU allowing them to:

• Reduce current waste management costs and improve recycling standards.
• Save on landfill taxes.
• Assist the Union in achieving awards and accreditations for environmental practices.
• Improve Health and Safety by condensing litter and waste.
• Enhance the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) profile to outside communities.
• Assist with recycling obligations to Government, NGO’s and EU.

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As the first University to install the RVM, RUSU hope to set a trend for others to follow, and join in the big push to Go Green!

ECO-MINDED University of Reading kicks off its Green Week today as the first uni in the country to introduce a ‘recycling vending machine’.

Green group People & Planet has rated the institution a 2:2, like the classifications for degrees, for how environmentally friendly it is.

But now, like any conscientious student, it wants to do better and up its grade to a 2:1 – or even a First.

As part of their efforts to improve on their ‘Green Grade’ the bright sparks have installed the new equipment in the Student Union from today.

The apparatus works in a similar way to a normal vending machine.

Parched students, tired out from all their hard work, drop their used drink can into the machine. The cans are then automatically cleaned and compressed, and a little ticket shoots out.

This ticket entitles the can’s owner to a discount in many of the union’s shops.

Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU) president Sally Pearman told the Reading Evening Post she was excited about the new venture.

Miss Pearman, 21, said: “If I take a can and take it to the machine it will clean it and compress it. In return the machine will give me a little ticket and I will get a discount and make money back.