Looking for ways to make your vending machine service more “green” and environmentally friendly? Here are five simple ways you can make your vending machine services align with your businesses green campaign.

1. Go cans over plastic

   There is some conflicting information about whether plastic bottles have a larger carbon footprint than cans but the general consensus in the US is that aluminum cans are a better option than plastic bottles. The reason is that the US is currently better equipped to recycle aluminum over plastic which often has to be shipped overseas to recycle using large amounts of energy to ship then process and reuse. For now, go with cans but don’t be surprised if someday this changes.

2. Go mechanical snack machines over electric

   Reduce your power consumption by asking your vending service to install a mechanical snack vending machine. Mechanical vendors do not use electricity to vend snack products relying on the customer to insert the exact change and manually turn the coil that distributes the snack product. While not as user friendly as their electric cousins they require absolutely no power to operate.

3. Go with modern Energy Star compliant vending machines

   Like consumer rated appliances, vending machines meeting the Energy Star standards for efficiency also carry the Energy Star compliant approval rating. Ask your vendor to install appliances which carry the Energy Star rating which means they generally use 20%-30% less energy than required by federal standards.

4. Remove the lights
   
   Most vending machines are equipped with bulbs to either backlight the graphic display in the beverage machine or shine over the snack selections. Since most machines operate in well lit break rooms these bulbs can be removed reducing the power consumption of the machine.
5. Add a recycling bin
   
   Many locations still have no recycling program at all. Keep it simple and start with a beverage recycling bin at your location. Placing a bin near your machines will offer a place for beverage consumers to deposit their plastic bottles or aluminum cans.