Ride-hailing and food delivery giant Grab has partnered with recycling startup Klean to roll out new AI-powered Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) in Malaysia. These seek to incentivize users to recycle plastic food packaging by rewarding them with rewards vouchers with every deposit.
Klean allows users to recycle aluminum cans and PET bottles through existing machines scattered throughout Malaysia’s Klang Valley, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, as well as states outside the capital such as Penang and Johor. By recycling their cans and bottles, users are rewarded with Klean points, redeemable for vouchers from various partners including Petronas.
18 new and upgraded RVMs have been established beginning October. The upgraded machines, co-funded by Grab and F&N with additional support from MRANTI, feature advanced sensors and AI software capable of identifying and sorting plastic food packaging — a move that simplifies the recycling process for consumers.
Users of these RVMs can earn Klean points by depositing rinsed plastic food containers, scanning the vending machine’s QR code, and collecting Klean points. These can be redeemed for GrabFood vouchers among other rewards.
The system rewards users with 10 Klean points per deposit, requiring a total of 750 points to exchange for a 5 Malaysian ringgit GrabFood voucher.
Grab and Klean partnership to encourage recycling among consumers
The RVMs autonomously process image data to identify recyclable materials, rejecting non-recyclable waste. They also feature an energy-saving mode during periods of inactivity. The data collected assists in monitoring the initiative’s impact, providing insights into the carbon footprint reduction and user recycling trends.
Initial feedback from a proof-of-concept trial in February has shown promising user engagement, with over half of the unique users returning to the machines. This indicates a potential shift in consumer behavior towards regular recycling habits.
These RVMs are strategically placed in areas with high foot traffic, including malls, offices, transit hubs, and residential complexes, making it convenient for individuals to participate in the recycling program.
The project also involves Asasrama, Klean’s collection and processing partner, which upcycles the collected plastic into materials like PP and PET pellets or flakes. These are then used to create new products, contributing to a circular economy and reducing the plastic waste that has reached 1.69 million tonnes annually in Malaysia, according to the Ministry of Environment and Water.
The deployment of these RVMs aligns with Grab’s broader environmental strategies. The company has incorporated an option within its application for users to opt-out of receiving plastic cutlery since 2019.
Additionally, it is in the process of developing a guide aimed at assisting merchants with sustainable packaging practices.
These initiatives are components of Grab’s objective to eliminate packaging waste in the natural environment by the year 2040, contributing to the principles of a circular economy.
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