Dream Machine Recycling Bins

While traveling around somewhere, I found a big blue recycling bin that said, “This is not a recycling bin, it’s a dream machine.” My interest was sparked immediately. 

It turns out that PepsiCo, Greenopolis, Keep America Beautiful, Inc.,  and Waste Management have started a campaign to help recycle beverage containers and educate children in grades K-12 about recycling.

It’s called the PepsiCo Dream Machine Recycling Initiative. It started just two years ago and includes two programs focusing on helping increase the U.S. beverage container recycling rate to 50 percent by 2018.

The first program is called the Dream Machine Recycle Rally, “an exciting program that aims to raise awareness of the importance of recycling among students, grades K-12, and gives schools a chance to earn rewards and compete for contest prizes, all while helping to make the planet a cleaner, greener place, and supporting post-9/11 disabled U.S. veterans.”

The second program includes making thousands of Dream Machine recycling bins and kiosks available in popular public venues, such as gas stations, supermarkets, stadiums, and parks, where the public can recycle their containers. The kiosks are computerized receptacles that include a personal reward system that allows consumers to collect and redeem points for each bottle or can recycled at the kiosk. Once consumers have earned enough points, they can be redeemed for awards at www.greenopolis.com. Some awards include coupons, discounts, or gift cards for entertainment, dining, travel, personal services, and much more. Consumers may also donate their points to local charities.

However, the Dream Machine doesn’t just stop at recycling. For every 10 million pounds of recycled materials collected, the company will contribute an additional $250,000 to the Enterpreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, a national program offering free education in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with disabilities.

Although I have not seen many of the PepsiCo Dream Machine recycling bins around, and you need to be a school or organization to participate in the Recycling Rally, you, personally still participate and earn points by visiting www.greenopolis.com.

I don't know about you, but I like earning points and getting prizes, and when you earn points for doing something that helps the environment, it's a win-win.

-Holly