VenditaliaVoices: the RiVending model for circular economy

Can the circular economy become a tangible industrial model even in vending?

The answer is RiVending, the project that has made the recovery and recycling of PS cups and PET bottles from vending machines a structured process, creating a closed-loop system that can be replicated nationwide.

In this new episode of Venditalia Voices, we talk with Alessandro Signore, Operational Manager of RiVending, to explore how the project works, why it succeeds and what it means for the future of sustainable vending.

In today’s sustainability landscape, where the circular economy is often discussed than it is implemented, why has the vending sector succeeded with RiVending in turning it into a working model?

Vending combines consistent volumes, homogeneous materials and everyday behaviour. RiVending, which promotes a virtuous cycle for the recovery and recycling of PS cups and PET bottles used in vending machines, leverages these characteristics to create a closed loop in which waste is properly collected and transformed into new raw material. It is a model integrated into the daily processes of the vending sector, also thanks to the structured collaboration between CONFIDA, COREPLA and UNIONPLAST, key players in ensuring its industrial strength and credibility.

From pilot project to scalable model: what made the difference?

RiVending has been consolidated thanks to a clear operational model and consistent on-the-ground work.
The project focuses on well-defined waste streams and in contexts where vending is already structured, with continuous support provided to operators to ensure correct implementation and long-term continuity.
Simple rules, clear procedures and an understandable recycling supply chain make the model applicable every day and support its replicability.

RiVending will have a stand at Venditalia. What role can the expo play in strengthening a culture of sustainability in vending?

Venditalia is the place where the vending supply chain meets and engages in dialogue. Bringing RiVending to the trade fair means offering a concrete example of how sustainability can be integrated into the sector’s operational models. The stand will be a space for dialogue and discussion, to share experiences, clarify questions and demonstrate how a structured approach can become an integral part of today’s and tomorrow’s vending industry.

Venditalia 2026 will take place from May 6 to 8 at Rimini Expo Centre, serving as the reference event for the vending and automatic distribution industry and an unmissable opportunity to discover the latest market trends and innovations.

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