Its soon-to-be-patented new machines contain a white powder made from calcium compounds, which sucks in carbon dioxide from the air to heat or cool the appliance’s contents. Once enough CO2 is absorbed, the powder can then be collected and used to make fertiliser or feed algae, amongst other potential uses. Each machine is expected to collect up to 60kg of carbon dioxide annually (around 20% of the machines’ carbon emissions). This is part of a wider net-zero target the brand has set for 2050.
Another approach to the decarbonisation of the vending machine industry comes from the UK, where supplier Decorum Vending has partnered with South Western Railway to place energy-efficient machines at train stations, which have self-sufficient ‘living wall’ vertical gardens attached to each side. Each wall of plants, made with a base of used coffee grounds, will absorb 5kg of CO2 and produce 2.4kg of oxygen per year.
