TOMRA Pilots “Bulk Feed” Bottle and Can Returns in Michigan
Photo credit: TOMRA
Dump the whole bag: TOMRA pilots faster bottle and can returns in Michigan. Two Meijer stores are testing the TOMRA R1, a “bulk feed” redemption machine that lets shoppers pour in 100+ containers at once, with the goal of making returns easier and boosting Michigan’s slipping deposit redemption rate.
Michigan’s bottle deposit system has long been seen as a national model, but participation has declined. State data shows the redemption rate fell to 70.4% in 2024, down from 88.7% in 2019.
Many factors are often cited, from curbside recycling convenience to the simple reality that a dime does not feel like what it used to. But the in-store experience matters too. If the process feels slow and messy, it becomes easy to put it off.
That is why a new pilot popping up quietly in Michigan is worth paying attention to. The Norwegian company behind many of the 10-cent bottle and can return machines found in supermarkets is testing a different approach: a bulk-feed machine that lets shoppers pour in a whole bag at once.
The pilot machine: TOMRA R1
The machine being tested is called the TOMRA R1. Instead of inserting containers one at a time, customers open a large lid, dump in a full bag of eligible containers, close the lid, and press start. The machine sorts and counts while the refund total climbs on the screen.
TOMRA describes the R1 as collecting over 100 containers in one go and being up to five times faster than traditional single-feed reverse vending machines. It is also designed to be a cleaner, more hands-off experience.
In the current Michigan pilot, the bulk-feed unit accepts plastic bottles and aluminum cans, not glass.
Where it is happening, and what early results look like
According to reporting credited to Keith Matheny (Detroit Free Press, via USA Today Network), the TOMRA R1 is being test-run at two Meijer locations:
Waterford, in place since October 2024
Wyoming (West Michigan), installed in late December 2025
Early usage is strong. The Waterford machine has accepted nearly 3.4 million containers, returning about $337,000 in deposits. The Wyoming machine was already nearing 300,000 containers accepted shortly after installation.
Store observations are encouraging too: people have been seen choosing to wait for the bulk-feed unit even when standard machines are available nearby, a simple signal that convenience can change behavior.
Backed by public support, focused on public outcomes
This pilot is supported by a $1 million state appropriation administered through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), running through December 2026.
The goal is straightforward: make it easier for residents to get their deposits back and keep valuable materials moving through the recycling stream, supporting Michigan’s broader momentum toward a stronger circular economy.
What comes next
The big question is whether this smoother, faster experience leads to a measurable increase in returns over time. If bulk-feed pilots like this consistently raise participation, they can help modernize a well-known Michigan system without asking people to do more, only making the return process easier to complete.
Source note: This article is based on reporting credited to Keith Matheny (Detroit Free Press, via USA Today Network), plus supporting information from Michigan Treasury and TOMRA product materials.