Investment in AI-powered recycling technology

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) has installed two smart reverse vending machines (RVMs) to encourage recycling. The AI-powered RVMs are equipped with photo and bar-code recognition technology as well as machine-learning capabilities that enable brand recognition of containers, auto-identification of material and sorting them into separate bins. It also provides real-time data tracking and reporting with key information such as total containers disposed, type, brand, recycler profile, timing and machine alerts.

KLCC's general manager, Alan Pryor, said that "sustainability is a very important aspect of our business and we will continue to invest and innovate in this direction. Placement of the RVMs has been in our pipeline for a long time and we are delighted to have realised this. Growth needs to be inclusive of all people and this is just a small step by the venue to promote responsible living and healthy lifestyles that will cultivate a better future society."Delegates and visitors to the venue are entitled to redemption points when they deposit their empty plastic bottles and aluminium cans in the RVM. The points can be exchanged for retail promotions and discounted lifestyle experiences from prominent brands and establishments. International meetings and events attendees can enjoy local experiences of their own choosing by redeeming their recycling points.

"This initiative is aimed at incentivising good, responsible actions. We all like being rewarded, especially for our positive actions, and we believe that through these RVMs, more people will be encouraged to recycle. Points can be redeemed for rides at Resort World Genting, discounts on GRAB (e-hailing and food delivery application), VIP access code for iQIYI (Asian content streaming platform) and many more exciting experiences," explained Yugatheeswaran Arjunan, director of the centre's facilities.

Placed at heavy footfall areas in the centre, the RVMs can be spotted on the ground floor and in the concourse. Recyclers are required to download and install the KLEAN application on their smartphones in order to capture their recycling activities, track their points earned and redeem them. These are the first two RVMs to be placed in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) precinct, but more machines will be rolled out in the coming months to encourage more recycling.

www.klccconventioncentre.com/the-centre/newsroom/press-releases/recycle-collect-redeem-repeat