Publicity Materials & FAQ

Publicity Materials

The poster and leaflet of the RVM Pilot Scheme

Download Poster

Download Leaflet P. 1

Download Leaflet P. 2

Promotion video of the RVM Pilot Scheme

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long would the RVM Pilot Scheme last? When did the scheme commence?

To pave the way for the future implementation of the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Plastic Beverage Containers and Beverage Cartons, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) launched the "Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) Pilot Scheme" in 2021. The scheme will operate until early 2028.
2. Where are the RVMs? What are their service hours?

The locations and service hours of the RVMs are shown at www.hkrvms3.com.hk/en/. The service hours of RVMs may vary depending on the opening hours of individual venues.
3. How does the RVM operate?

The RVM features an interactive touchscreen with simple operating steps. Before recycling, please empty and rinse the plastic beverage container, secure the cap, and keep the barcode on the bottle intact for identification, and ensure the container is not deformed. Users may select on the screen to receive rebate via Octopus or AlipayHK, or donate the full amount to one of the designated charitable organisations. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to insert plastic beverage containers one by one. For any enquiries regarding the use of RVM, please contact the scheme hotline (9312 3023) by phone or WhatsApp.
4. Which types of plastic containers are covered in the Pilot Scheme?

The scheme only accepts plastic beverage containers that are commonly sold in the Hong Kong market, with a volume of 100mL to 2L, and bear a clear product barcode printed on the bottle sleeve or body. Before returning, please empty and rinse the container, retain its label (including the barcode) and cap, and ensure that the container is not deformed.

Containers without a barcode, with insufficient barcode clarity (e.g. barcode size too small or contrast too low/colour too faint), with a barcode printed only on the top of the bottle cap, or with a barcode tag hanging on the bottle are not accepted under the scheme currently. Please send such containers to the EPD's Recycling Stations, Recycling Stores, Recycling Spots, smart recycling bins, or other plastic recycling bins for proper recycling.
5. Should I remove sleeves on beverage containers before returning them using RVMs?

The RVMs would scan the barcodes on the containers to verify whether they are the designated plastic beverage containers covered by the RVM database. You should keep the bottle sleeves or labels with barcodes on them and keep the containers in their original shapes without deformation to ensure the containers can be recognized by the RVMs. It is also not required to remove the bottle caps for separate handling.
6. Under what circumstances would a container be rejected by RVMs?

The possible causes for rejection of container by RVMs may include:

I. It is not a plastic beverage container;

II. Volume of the container is less than 100mL or more that 2L;

III. The container is in deformed shape;

IV. The container does not have any identifiable barcode or the RVM cannot identify the barcode of the container (e.g. barcode size too small or contrast too low/colour too faint);

V. The barcode/ shape of the container is not covered by the RVM database (for example, the beverage product is not sold in Hong Kong or just newly introduced into the Hong Kong market) ;

VI. The container with the product barcode printed only on the top of bottle caps, or with a barcode printed only on a tag attached to the bottle;

VII. There is significant amount of residual liquid inside the container; or

VIII. The recycling process is being tampered with, e.g. user putting his/her hand into the machine.
7. How should I handle plastic beverage containers that are not recognizable by RVMs?

You may bring plastic beverage containers that are not recognisable by RVMs to other collection points for proper recycling, such as the EPD's Recycling Stations, Recycling Stores, Recycling Spots, smart recycling bins, or other plastic recycling bins. Meanwhile, we encourage the public to provide us with the details of such plastic beverage containers via the Pilot Scheme's dedicated website, or contacting the scheme hotline at 9312 3023 by phone or WhatsApp, to assist us in verifying the barcodes and updating the RVM database.
8. Any limit on the amount of rebate that can be collected per transaction/ per day?

Instant rebate is provided to the public for returning plastic beverage container through the RVMs. Each Octopus card or AlipayHK account is eligible to return up to 30 plastic beverage containers per day and collect the corresponding rebate. Once the daily limit for a card or an account is reached, it may not be used to recycle additional containers and claim further rebates through any other RVMs under the scheme for the remainder of that day. Those who wish to recycle more plastic beverage containers may choose to donate their rebates to designated charitable organisations. Such charitable donations are not subject to any daily quantity limits.
9. If I do not have Octopus card / AlipayHK account, could I request to receive the rebate in coins?

The RVMs would only provide rebates in the form of e-money through Octopus card or AlipayHK account. Alternatively, you may choose to donate the rebate to designated charitable organisations.
10. How do I donate my rebate?

You may follow the instructions on the RVM's interactive screen to select and donate the rebate to designated charitable organisations. Upon completing the recycling process, an electronic receipt will be displayed on the screen. You may take a photo of the receipt for record if necessary.
11. How could the public handle their plastic beverage containers on hand if the interactive screen of a RVM shows that it is full?

The RVMs are equipped with self-monitoring function. When an RVM approaches its capacity limit, a notification will be sent to the contractor automatically. Meanwhile, the public may also contact the scheme hotline (9312 3023) by phone or WhatsApp. The contractor will then arrange for collection of the plastic containers as soon as possible. Additionally, the public can visit this webpage to check other RVM locations and their real-time status, and consider taking their plastic beverage containers to other RVMs for recycling.
12. What should I do if an RVM suddenly stops functioning during use?

You may record the RVM location, the date and time of the incident, the error code displayed on the screen (if any), and specific problems concerned and then contact the pilot scheme hotline (9312 3023) by phone or WhatsApp.
13. What should I do if I successfully return container(s) but do not receive rebate?

You may record the RVM location, the date and time of the incident, the number of containers accepted, and the Octopus account/ AlipayHK account involved and then contact the pilot scheme hotline (9312 3023) by phone or through WhatsApp for our follow-up.
14. How many plastic beverage containers can each RVM store?

The RVM is equipped with compression function to compress the received plastic beverage containers so as to reduce their volume, thereby enhancing the handling and storage capacity of the machine. Each RVM can store no fewer than 800 compressed plastic beverage containers (based on 500mL container volume).
15. How would the Government handle the plastic beverage containers collected under the pilot scheme?

The contractor appointed by the Government is responsible for collecting plastic beverage containers from the RVMs and delivering them to suitable local recycler(s) for proper treatment and recycling, to transform waste into resources.
16. How would the Government ensure that RVMs are maintained in good hygienic condition?

The RVMs are equipped with an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system to provide long-term sanitisation protection. Moreover, the contractor will conduct regular RVM cleaning and implement additional measures as needed based on the actual operational needs to maintain good hygienic condition. We ask everyone to support clean recycling by emptying and rinsing containers, and securing the caps to avoid spills of residual liquid during the recycling process.
17. What if I have questions about the RVM Pilot Scheme?

You are welcome to contact the scheme hotline (9312 3023) by phone or through WhatsApp for any questions relating to the pilot scheme.