MALAYSIA – Grab Malaysia has launched 18 Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) driven by artificial intelligence (AI) across the Klang Valley in a bid to promote plastic recycling.
The new initiative has been undertaken in partnership with KLEAN, Fraser & Neave Holdings (F&N), and the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI). The RVMs are a part of Grab’s pilot project aimed at achieving zero packaging waste in the environment by 2040.
KLEAN is a technology platform that manufactures vending machines designed to encourage recycling. Through this partnership, the RVMs aim to make it easier for consumers to recycle their used food packaging.
Each fully operational RVM accepts plastic food containers, as well as aluminum cans and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.
The collected containers will then be processed by the plastic resin manufacturer, Asasrama, to be recycled into raw materials such as new PP and PET pellets.
These efforts seek to give resources a second life by transforming them into new products, such as clothing, furniture fillings, and plastic furniture and containers.
Adelene Foo, the managing director of Grab Malaysia, stated, “We acknowledge that food packaging waste is an inherent by-product of our food delivery platform.
“Change has to happen throughout the value chain, and we are committed to proactively seeking and developing sustainable, inclusive solutions.
She added that the pilot project underscores Grab’s commitment to protecting the environment one proactive step at a time. The RVMs help to “close the loop on single-use plastics by utilizing technology for positive impact.”
“From a consumer standpoint, contributing is simple: deposit rinsed plastic food containers, scan the RVMs’ QR code, and redeem vouchers using collected KLEAN points,” Foo added.
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister for Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change, added, “In line with the Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030, we are committed to promoting alternatives and sustainable materials in plastic production.
“Our ministry is working on many fronts to phase out single-use non-biodegradable plastics. The RVMs introduced through this collaborative effort align with our roadmap’s goal and provide an avenue for both businesses and consumers to realize the desired change.”
This pilot builds on Grab’s previous efforts in 2019 to reduce single-use plastics. During that time, Grab provided consumers with the choice to exclude single-use cutlery from their food delivery orders.
This initiative enabled the company to save more than 23,800 tonnes of waste in the form of 898 million sets of cutlery in 2022.
