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Sussex Recycles: meet our new reverse vending machines
Posted on behalf of: The Sustainability Team
Last updated: Wednesday, 21 May 2025
You’ll spot a few new machines around campus this month as we introduce reverse vending machines for the first time.
We aim to recycle half of all our waste on campus by the end of 2025. At the moment, we recycle about a third of it, so we need to find new ways to encourage our campus community to recycle.
What is a reverse vending machine?
A reverse vending machine is a machine you can feed your empty plastic bottles and drinks cans into, and receive a credit in return.
We now have more reverse vending machines than any other university in the UK! You can find them at:
- The Student Centre (near the Atrium Market)
- Opposite the entrance to Falmer House, near the Bike Shack
- Inside the Sport Centre
- In the foyer of Bramber House opposite the entrance to the Co-op
- The Library Café.
The reverse vending machines are a great step to start to get everyone into the habit of recycling by rewarding you for doing so. By incentivising people to recycle, it promotes a culture of recycling and changes our behaviours over time. And because the plastic bottles and cans are separated out, it also helps us to better monitor the amount being recycled.
How does it work?
Insert your used plastic bottle or drinks can into the designated slot
- The machine uses sensors to identify the material, ensuring it meets the recycling criteria
- You receive a printed voucher to reward your contribution to our recycling efforts - these can be entered into a monthly prize draw!
- The machine sorts the material to separate plastic from metal and minimise contamination
- Sorted materials are compacted for efficient storage and transportation, then stored in the machine until it’s full before being collected for recycling.
What do I get in return?
We will be introducing a prize draw at the start of next term to reward you for recycling, so please keep hold of your vouchers and keep an eye on the Student Hub for updates.
We’ll be seeking feedback on the rewards we are offering too so please keep an eye on our social channels too!
This work supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) and SDG 13 (climate action). You can read more about our work on the SDGs here.