As the UK prepares for the national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) rollout in October 2027, the performance of reverse vending machines (RVMs) will be under more scrutiny than ever. At the core of every efficient RVM is the compactor—a crucial component that determines not just how many containers can be handled, but also the operational cost, logistical burden, and sustainability of the entire system.
Why Compaction Matters
Compaction reduces the volume of returned PET bottles and aluminium cans, enabling each RVM to store more containers before needing to be emptied. This directly translates to:
Reduced emptying frequency: Fewer staff visits and less disruption to store operations.
Lower logistics costs: Fewer collections by transport providers, reducing fuel use and emissions.
Improved store efficiency: Less staff time spent handling containers, allowing more focus on customers.
Environmental benefits: Lower transport demand means reduced CO₂ footprint for the whole DRS.
But not all compactors are created equal—especially when it comes to material separation, bale quality, and long-term reliability.
The Recyclever Dual-Chamber Compactor: A Step Beyond
Traditional RVMs usually compact all containers together, or require two separate compactors (doubling hardware cost and complexity) to keep PET and aluminium apart. Recyclever’s patented dual-chamber compactor is a technical breakthrough designed specifically for the UK market and DRS operator needs.
Perfect Compaction for Every Material, Every Time
Single, unique dual-chamber design: Our compactor has two dedicated chambers with optimized geometries—one for PET bottles, the other for aluminium cans—ensuring perfect, container-specific compaction.
No co-mingling: Materials never mix, so bales are high-purity and ready for direct recycling, meeting the highest standards for downstream processing.
No hardware duplication: Separation is achieved within a single compact, robust unit, minimizing footprint and capital cost.
Industry-Leading Maintainability and Uptime
Blade wear is not the end: In most machines, compactor blade wear leads to degraded performance and costly, time-consuming repairs—sometimes requiring complete unit replacements.
Patented removable blades: At Recyclever, our compactors feature patent-protected removable blades. After millions of cycles, a field engineer can simply swap blades onsite—no major disassembly, no lengthy downtime.
Restore “like new” performance: Maintenance is rapid and cost-effective, extending the machine’s working life far beyond industry norms and maximizing uptime.
Fast Recovery from Foreign Object Damage
Quick fix, not a major failure: If a sharp or foreign object damages the blades—a rare but real risk in high-traffic retail environments—Recyclever’s design means only the blades need to be replaced. What would be a major repair elsewhere becomes a straightforward, low-cost service event.
Supporting DRS Goals: Sustainability, Reliability, and Lower Costs
Container-specific compaction supports the DRS goal of producing high-purity recyclables, ready for reprocessing into new bottles and cans.
Lower total cost of ownership for retailers, as maintenance is simplified, downtime is minimized, and expensive compactor replacements are avoided.
Improved environmental performance thanks to optimized logistics and reduced carbon emissions across the supply chain.
Future-proof design for the UK market, supporting high throughput, operational efficiency, and compliance with DRS operator requirements.
Why This Matters for UK Retailers and the DMO
Supermarkets and convenience stores will be the backbone of the UK DRS. The dual-chamber compactor ensures they can run high-volume operations with minimal service interruptions and maximum recycling quality. For the UK DMO and scheme operators, the result is a DRS that’s both trustworthy and economically sound.
Ready for the Next Generation of RVM Compaction?
Contact Recyclever today to learn more about our patented dual-chamber compactor and how it can transform your DRS operations—delivering true efficiency, reliability, and environmental benefit for your business and for the UK.
