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Description
The issue of the project is to implement the possibility that students and Universidade de Aveiro workers can be reimbursed for each bottle they return. This return will be made using specific equipment that will be purchased by the project. The reimbursement amount must be credited to the UA Single Card, which is already associated with the institution''s access and payment systems. The pilot project aims to contribute to a sustained reflection on the current Universida de Aveiro waste management model, with a multiplier effect expected in the regional context. With this pilot project, the Universidade de Aveiro is increasingly assumed as a reference institution in the national and international panorama, remaining at the forefront of adoption sustainability policies, for a more sustainable human development model based on the circular economy. It is expected that, with a dedicated separation, complying with a lower degree of contamination, the product resulting from the collection will have a higher quality and an increase in the selective collection of PET and aluminum will occur. The environmental assessment of the pilot project will be carried out through the application of life cycle analysis (LCA).
Summary of project results
The basic principle of the project to be implemented is the possibility that students and UA workers can be reimbursed for each bottle or can they return. This return will be made using specific equipment that will be purchased by the project. The reimbursement amount must be credited to the UA Single Card, which is already associated with the institution''s access and payment systems.
It is expected that, with a dedicated separation, complying with a lower degree of contamination, the product resulting from the collection will have a higher quality and an increase in the selective collection of PET and aluminum will occur. The environmental assessment of the pilot project will be carried out through the application of life cycle analysis (LCA).
The product resulting from the implementation of the pilot project will have two different destinations, namely:
1. Recycling industry and producer of PET and aluminum packaging. The incorporation of these materials from the UA pilot system will be encouraged in the respective production chain.
2. Recycling for demonstration and innovation purposes. The intention is to purchase equipment that allows the transformation of PET into a suitable raw material for research projects in the area of 3D printing, incorporation of new materials, production of new products (packaging) and final quality assessment, promoting and supporting the recycling sector and the secondary raw materials market.
The project has a strong social vocation, insofar as it is intended that the financial contributions from forwarding the collected product be channeled to the Social Action School, translating into a direct support UA students with financial difficulties.
For the implementation of this project, UA will partner with the Norwegian company INFINITUM, with extensive experience in implementing the refund collection system in Norway. The model to be implemented will be adapted to the national context and may give rise to innovative / replicable partnerships and collaborations in analogous systems.
The project implemented a pilot Deposit and Refund System (DRS) with six reverse vending machines (RVMs) strategically placed across the University of Aveiro campus. These machines allowed users to deposit PET and aluminum beverage packaging and receive monetary refunds credited to their university ID cards.
The project carried out extensive awareness campaigns, integrated recycling initiatives into university events, and actively engaged students through competitions and prizes. Workshops and conferences showcased the system’s operations and highlighted its scalability for broader applications.
Innovative recycling processes were developed, including the production of high-quality rPET for new bottles and filaments for 3D printing. This demonstrated the feasibility of closed-loop recycling and provided practical applications for collected materials. The project also conducted ongoing monitoring and evaluation to assess its performance and ensure continuous improvement.
The REAP project collected 267,619 units of PET and aluminum packaging, equivalent to 4.7 tons of material diverted from landfills. Refunds totaling €8,700 incentivized active participation, with over 22,000 users engaging with the system. These results reflect a significant shift in recycling behaviors within the university community.
Through innovative recycling methods, high-quality rPET products were created, such as bottles and filaments, demonstrating the practical potential of closed-loop recycling systems. This output not only advanced academic research but also positioned the University of Aveiro as a leader in sustainable waste management.
The project fostered a culture of environmental responsibility among students and staff, enhancing awareness of sustainability issues. Furthermore, it provided valuable insights for national and international stakeholders on the design and implementation of effective DRS models, contributing to broader environmental goals.
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership with Infinitum AS, a leader in recycling systems in Norway, significantly strengthened the technical and strategic components of the project. Their expertise guided the design and implementation of the Deposit and Refund System, ensuring alignment with best practices and high operational efficiency.The collaboration facilitated knowledge transfer and showcased the feasibility of scaling such systems to broader contexts. The partnership also provided opportunities for mutual learning, enhancing recycling practices in Portugal while promoting Norwegian innovations in sustainability.Media coverage and stakeholder engagement activities increased the visibility of both the project and the bilateral partnership. This visibility underscored the importance of international collaboration in addressing shared environmental challenges and fostered discussions on future cooperative initiatives at regional and European levels.