TOMRA appointed as reverse vending technology provider for new Latvia deposit return system

TOMRA wins today tender for reverse vending machines for the return of bottles and cans across the country in 2022.

SIA Depozīta Iepakojuma Operators, the future central system administrator for the deposit return system (DRS) in Latvia, today announced that TOMRA has won the tender to provide the reverse vending technology for the upcoming bottle and can recycling program. A negotiation period will follow with the contract set to be signed by July 1, 2021.

TOMRA will supply approximately 800 automated collection points, combining around 625 indoor reverse vending solutions and 175 outdoor kiosks. These return locations seek to ensure optimal convenience for Latvian consumers to return their containers, and deliver on the ambitious targets set by the central system administrator. The reverse vending equipment will be owned and maintained by TOMRA, and TOMRA will be paid for the usage based upon the returned volume of containers through the machines.The DRS in Latvia will launch on February 1st, 2022, with a deposit value of €0.10. The system will include cans as well as plastic and glass bottles in various sizes (covering beverage types such as non-alcoholic beverages, beer and cider) and retailers will serve as return points.

The new recycling incentive program will see Latvia join the other Baltic states – Estonia and Lithuania – in offering deposit systems. The DRS is also set to help Latvia achieve the goals of the European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive, which mandates that its member states collect 90% of plastic beverage containers by 2029.  

“We are very pleased that, thanks to fierce competition, we can provide the best available packaging return technology solution to the Latvian deposit system and our society, which has successfully proven itself in such deposit system countries as Lithuania, Estonia, Germany, Norway, Sweden, and so on,” said Miks Stūrītis, Chairman of the Board of Ltd. “Depozīta Iepakojuma Operators”. “The establishment of a deposit packaging return infrastructure is a task of great responsibility, as it goes hand in hand with the sustainability of the system and the overall experience for the society, as well as the desire to return the empty beverage packaging. Given the short period of time available for the implementation of the deposit system, the partner’s experience and available resources is a very important aspect. TOMRA will help us create a modern, safe and practically tested deposit system, which will allow us to fulfill the set goals in environmental protection.”

“We are proud to be named the preferred partner for SIA Depozīta Iepakojuma Operators,” said Harald Henriksen, Head of TOMRA Collection Solutions. “We look forward to working together with Latvia in delivering a world-class deposit return system and creating green job opportunities for around 30 people in our new local entity that will be established. The introduction of a DRS in Latvia positions the Baltic region as a frontrunner within circular economy, ensuring the collection and recycling of packaging waste across three countries. We applaud Latvia’s initiative in driving a circular economy, and TOMRA will strive to make it easy for industry, retailers and consumers across the country to contribute to a more sustainable planet through participating in the new DRS.”

Asker, 09 April 2021

TOMRA SYSTEMS ASA

For questions please contact:

CFO/Deputy CEO Espen Gundersen +47 66 79 92 41 / +47 97 68 73 01

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TOMRA was founded on an innovation in 1972 that began with design, manufacturing and sale of reverse vending machines (RVMs) for automated collection of used beverage containers. Today TOMRA provides technology-led solutions that enable the circular economy with advanced collection and sorting systems that optimize resource recovery and minimize waste in the food, recycling and mining industries.

TOMRA has approximately 100,000 installations in over 80 markets worldwide and had total revenues of ~9.9 billion NOK in 2020. The Group employs ~4,300 globally and is publicly listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. (OSE: TOM). For further information about TOMRA, please see www.tomra.com