The October 2024 monitoring report for the RiVending project highlights the growing commitment to sustainability during Italians’ coffee breaks. Over the past year, more than 76.5 million plastic cups have been recycled, saving 523 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto top the regional rankings, with 1.8 million, 1.5 million, and 1.1 million cups collected respectively in the past month alone.
Sustainability at Vending Machines
RiVending, spearheaded by Confida, Corepla, and Unionplast, has introduced a dedicated collection system for plastic cups and stirrers (PS) as well as PET bottles at vending machines. With over 14,800 dedicated bins installed across workplaces, schools, and universities, the initiative not only ensures plastic recovery but also gives it a second life through innovative recycling processes.
From Cups to New Beginnings: Repurposing Plastic
Polystyrene from collected cups can be transformed into thermal insulation for buildings, picture frames, garden furniture, and even new coffee cups or yoghurt pots. Some of the notable products created through RiVending include:
- Pet food bowls, donated to Enpa animal shelters.
- Rulers for schools, distributed across Italy.
- Clothing and new bottles made from R-PET.
Lombardy Leads: Regional Rankings
The data from October 2024 highlights significant growth in recycling:
- Lombardy: 1,787,249 cups (+23% compared to October 2023).
- Emilia-Romagna: 1,534,742 cups (+11.5%).
- Veneto: 1,167,399 cups (+51%).
- Trentino-Alto Adige: 720,372 cups (+30.4%).
- Friuli-Venezia Giulia: 683,298 cups (+10%).
A Contribution to Sustainability Reporting
RiVending certifies CO2 savings for companies and organisations participating in the project, offering a valuable tool to strengthen their sustainability reports. This initiative demonstrates how even small, everyday actions can lead to a significant positive impact on the environment.
