The end goal until there’s a replacement for petroleum based plastics has to be increasing recycling rates. Our current system it’s difficult to redeem deposits on cans and bottles. There needs to be a way to redeem cans and bottles at the point of sale including vending machines. One approach is a rollover deposit. An example would be the office vending machine the first time you buy a soda you pay the deposit. The next time you buy a soda simply insert the empty bottle or can into the vending machine. A reader scans the container then deducts the deposit from your next purchase. Plastic bottles are shredded and cans are crushed reducing the volume of material. If you buy four sodas in a day you’d only pay the one deposit and if you have a bottle from the previous day you’d pay no deposit if you return the empty. We need an instant gratification element to recycling to increase rates of recycling. An office vending machine is far removed from a place to recycle it so often they are discarded. Most offices have recycling bins but using them costs the consumer the deposit so some still throw the item in the trash. Also many places with vending machines like laundromats don’t have recycling bins. Adding in a redeeming system to vending machines could greatly reduce waste.