Electronics Specialist

TOMRA unveils space-saving reverse vending machine for convenience retailers. The world's most experienced reverse vending machine (RVM) manufacturer has unveiled a new small-format machine tailor made for convenience stores. September 17, 2026 The world's most experienced reverse vending machine (RVM) manufacturer has unveiled a new small-format machine tailor made for convenience stores. TOMRA has introduced the small-footprint, big performance 'TOMRA B3' in the UK as retailers prepare for the introduction of a deposit return scheme (DRS) in 2027. From October next year, consumers will pay a refundable 20p deposit on eligible plastic drinks bottles and cans, which they'll get back from retailers when they return their empty containers. TOMRA, a global leader in recycling innovation, manufactures reverse vending machines (RVMs) that automate the return process, and has designed TOMRA B3 with convenience stores and independent retailers in mind. It occupies just 0.45sqm of floor space, enabling convenience retailers to benefit from offering automated returns, as well as accessing the higher handling fees available through automated collection. "TOMRA B3 is the smallest reverse vending machine in our product portfolio, and gives convenience stores and independent retailers a practical way to automate returns without sacrificing valuable store space. It also provides customers with an easy and reliable return experience," explains Sondre Henningsgård, Managing Director for TOMRA Collection UK. "At TOMRA we want to enable retailers to invest in the right technology from day one and TOMRA B3 meets that need by offering proven technology in a smaller format, designed by an experienced partner that has over 95,000 machines operating all over the world." TOMRA B3's small footprint enables automated container returns into stores without taking away valuable selling space from retailers. The machine can handle two types of containers - PET plastic and metal cans - and is also available on wheels, offering greater flexibility on where it can be positioned in the store. Using barcode recognition, weight detection and image-based recognition, TOMRA B3 accurately identifies containers to deliver a quick and seamless recycling experience. Exchange for Change, the deposit return scheme operator, will pay retailers a handling fee for every drinks container they collect. Retailers who use automated collection will receive a higher handling fee[i]. "Convenience retailers are assessing the advantages of automating collection instead of handling containers manually, and the larger handling fee is just one of many incentives. Having a reverse vending machine can save staff time and make the process easier for customers. We see in other DRS markets that shoppers value a quick and reliable return experience, and retailers that provide this can benefit from attracting shoppers," adds Sondre Henningsgård. "We know that investing in a reverse vending machine is a significant decision for a convenience retailer. TOMRA B3 has been designed as a cost-effective and reliable answer for stores with limited space. Qualifying sites can also apply for grant funding through Exchange for Change, so we'd recommend retailers to check if they are eligible." TOMRA B3 is making its UK debut this week at a number of industry events, including RWM, the resource and waste management expo at the NEC in Birmingham. Retailers are invited to experience TOMRA B3 first-hand at TOMRA's West London showroom, with demonstrations available by appointment. Join a network of more than 90,000 waste and recycling industry professionals. Get the latest news and insights straight to your inbox. Add Waste360 as your preferred source to get quicker access to the news you trust.

Europe's textile recycling industry faces growing economic viability challenge. * Desk Report Published: 13 Sep, 2026 1:24PM Europe's textile recycling challenge is turning into an economic issue, with rising costs and funding gaps. Collection, sorting, and recycling systems struggle despite mounting pressure to build a circular textile industry. In the Netherlands, textile collection and pre-sorting operations are facing a net shortfall of around €0.07-€0.12 per kg in 2026, while sorting operations face a gap of €0.07-€0.14 per kg. At the upper end, this represents a deficit of up to €140 per ton of textiles sorted. The financial pressure is also evident in the UK, where textile collectors and sorters are estimated to spend around £88 million annually dealing with worn-out clothing. If the existing collection and sorting system collapses, local authorities could face an additional £64 million a year in disposal costs. France has responded to the financial pressure with exceptional government support for textile collection and sorting operators. The government provided €49 million in 2025 and is expected to provide a further €57 million in 2026. At the European level, the scale of investment required to expand textile-to-textile recycling is substantially higher. According to a BCG x ReHubs report published in March 2026, scaling textile-to-textile recycling to around 15% by 2035 could require €8-11 billion in capital investment, alongside €5-6.5 billion in annual operating costs. Europe generates approximately 15.2 million tons of textile waste annually, while less than 1% is currently recycled back into new textiles, according to the report. To establish a viable circular textile system, Europe would need to reach around 2.7 million tons of textile-to-textile recycling annually by 2035. While the economics remain challenging, recycling and sorting technologies are advancing rapidly, with several companies developing automated systems to improve the identification and separation of textile waste. TOMRA Recycling is developing automated textile sorting based on its AUTOSORT platform, combining near-infrared (NIR), visible-light (VIS) and electromagnetic sensing to identify fibre composition, colour and contaminants. ANDRITZ is developing mechanical recycling lines for post-consumer textiles, including processes for opening, tearing and fibre preparation. STADLER Group is applying automated sorting technology to textile waste, focusing on separating different textile streams before further processing. Meanwhile, Valvan's Fibersort uses NIR technology to automatically identify textile fibres according to their composition. Pellenc ST is also applying NIR-based optical sorting technology to textile waste streams, while NewRetex combines NIR, RGB cameras, machine learning and traceability to sort post-consumer textiles into multiple material fractions. Spain-based PICVISA uses NIR, VIS and deep-learning technologies through its ECOSORT TEXTIL platform to classify textiles by fibre type, colour and garment category. Notably, Europe's textile recycling is shifting from basic waste handling to advanced automation. New technologies enable higher-purity sorting and feedstock preparation for textile-to-textile recycling. However, technology alone may not be enough to close the circularity gap. With billions of euros in investment and billions more required annually for operations, the industry faces a fundamental question: can Europe build a textile recycling system that is not only technically capable, but also economically viable at scale? The answer will depend on a combination of technological development, stable financing, supportive policy measures and stronger demand for recycled textile feedstock.

TOMRA wins 22 sorter contract at Pilgangoora. The order includes secondary and tertiary X-ray transmission units 25 August 2026 TOMRA announced today that it has won a contract to supply 22 X-ray ore sorters to the proposed P2000 expansion of the PLS Group's Pilgangoora lithium project in Western Australia. The company said... The definitive guide to mining operations and excellence. Established in 1909 by Herbert Hoover, Mining Magazine provides comprehensive technical insight into mining operations. It aims to inform and support mine management in decision-making regarding mining techniques, technologies, workforce, logistics, and supply chains. More on this topic. Exclusive columns from industry experts, interviews, analysis and thought-provoking features.