At Central Park in Abuja, EcoBarter unveiled its latest innovation, the Reverse Vending Machine (RVM), a smart device designed to turn everyday waste into instant rewards. The machine accepts plastic bottles and aluminum cans, weighing each deposit and awarding users points that can be redeemed for cash or recycled goods via the EcoBarter mobile app.
“It’s like a reverse ATM,” said Joan Bishio, an environmental communications officer who tested the device. “You put in your bottles and cans, and the machine pays you back.”
Reverse Vending Machine (RVM)
For EcoBarter, the RVM represents more than convenience; it is part of a broader push to make recycling accessible, rewarding, and impactful. “Our goal is a zero-waste world,” explained founder Rita Idehai. “We want to reintegrate everything people collect into production value chains, creating value rather than pollution.”
The innovation comes at a critical time. Nigeria generates over 32 million tonnes of waste annually, including 2.5 million metric tonnes of plastic, placing it among the world’s top ocean polluters. Early results are promising: before the RVM, Central Park collected 40kg of recyclables every two months; now, it averages the same amount weekly.
With 25 RVMs already deployed in Abuja and a planned rollout in Lagos, EcoBarter is reshaping Nigeria’s recycling culture.
