TOMRA M1 requires just 0.62 square meters of floor space, so that smaller retailers can participate in deposit return systems and contribute to recycling. The standalone RVM measures just 98 cm wide, 63 cm deep, and stands at 165 cm tall. It can store up to 270 PET bottles, 550 cans, and 80 (uncrushed) glass bottles.
The affordable and compact RVM was specifically developed to fit with the shallower shelf space of convenience/small stores. Several new and upcoming deposit return systems have included smaller retailers as return points for drink containers, and in direct discussion with TOMRA these retailers requested a solution that could fit seamlessly with their limited space and existing shelf configurations and dimensions.
Deposit return systems add a deposit on top of the price of a beverage, which is refunded to the consumer when they return the empty container for recycling. This incentivizes the return of containers, which drives higher collection rates and combats litter. Deposit return systems often include "return-to-retail" legislation that requires stores selling beverages to also collect the containers for recycling after use.