Lahore has launched a high-profile recycling drive for 2025 that pays people for depositing plastic bottles and other single-use plastic items into Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs). This move — part of the Punjab government’s Green Credit Program — turns everyday waste into cash or “Green Credit” while helping reduce pollution and create value from plastic.
How the program works (quick overview)
- Install RVMs in public places, universities, and commercial areas.
- Insert clean, empty plastic bottles (and a limited set of other single-use plastics where allowed).
- The machine reads and weighs the plastic and issues Green Credit instantly.
- Credits are tracked via a mobile app or mobile number and can be cashed out or used with partnered scrap-dealers and collection services.
Rewards: What you can earn
- Users can earn up to Rs 1,000 per kilogram of plastic — roughly the equivalent of about 20 one-and-a-half litre bottles (20 × 1.5L ≈ 1 kg when crushed/clean). That makes small daily collections meaningful for students, households, and informal waste collectors.
Where the machines are (initial rollout & expansion)
- Initial RVM installations focus on high-traffic and public institutions (for example several universities and municipal locations), with plans to expand to marketplaces, malls, and transit hubs. The program partners with private vendors and NGOs to scale installations across Lahore.
Tip: Check the Punjab Green Credit portal or the program app for an updated list of active machine locations and participating recyclers.
Why this matters for Lahore (benefits)
Environmental
- Reduces plastic sent to drains and landfills, lowering flooding and environmental contamination.
- Converts single-use plastic into raw material for road repairs, footpaths, and eco-bricks.
Economic & social
- Generates extra income for students, low-income households, and informal collectors.
- Creates local recycling jobs (collection, machine maintenance, eco-brick manufacturing).
What items are accepted?
Most RVMs accept:
- PET bottles (standard drink bottles) — highest priority.
- Other single-use plastics (some machines accept cups and plates) depending on machine settings.
- Machines typically reject non-plastic or dirty items — always rinse bottles where possible.
Step-by-step: How to use an RVM in Lahore
- Rinse and remove caps/labels if required (follow machine prompts).https://schemenews.pk/plastic-bottle-recycling-machine-centers-in-lahore/
- Go to an RVM location or authorized collection point.
- Press the start button on the touchscreen.
- Insert bottles into the slot one at a time.
- Enter your mobile number or scan app QR code when prompted.
- Machine weighs and issues Green Credit; check balance on screen or in the app.
- Redeem or transfer credits via the app or through authorized scrap dealers.
Practical tips to maximise rewards
- Flatten or crush bottles where allowed to maximise machine capacity (follow machine instructions).
- Collect the same type of plastic (PET) together to speed up processing.
- Join campus or neighborhood drives — pooling bottles can make collection trips worthwhile.
- Keep bottles dry and free of food residue to avoid rejection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much is one bottle worth?
A: Value is calculated by weight. Roughly 20 × 1.5L bottles ≈ 1 kg, and the program advertises up to Rs 1,000 per kg. Exact payout may vary by machine and material quality.
Q: Can scrap dealers also use the system?
A: Yes — many local scrap dealers are onboarded to receive Green Credit and to collect materials for large-volume pick-ups. The platform links consumers to dealers for pickup and bulk sales.
Q: Is this a temporary pilot?
A: The initial phase is a pilot and targeted rollout in select locations with plans for expansion depending on uptake and logistics. Government and private partners have framed it as a scalable program.
For schools, businesses and community groups
- Host a collection drive and invite an RVM or recycler pickup.
- Use Green Credit rewards for school-level fundraisers.
- Businesses can adopt nearby machines as part of CSR and branding.
Final thoughts & call to action
Lahore’s 2025 push to reward recycling with Reverse Vending Machines and Green Credit is a practical, scalable step toward cleaner streets and a circular economy. Whether you’re a student, family, small business, or recycler — you can turn plastic waste into a small but meaningful income stream while helping the city breathe cleaner. Check the official Punjab Green Credit portal or the program mobile app for the latest machine locations and redemption options — then start collecting!
Sources
- The Express Tribune — Green credit scheme for recycling plastic bottles launched in Lahore.
- Punjab Green Credit / Plastic Recyclers listing.
- ProPakistani — Lahore to Get Machines That Give Money for Plastic Bottles.
- CleanTheSky overview of Lahore RVM program.
- IndustryIntel coverage of eco-recycling initiative and reuse plans.
1 thought on “Free Rewards for Recycling 2025: Plastic Bottle Recycling Machine Centers in Lahore”