While the concept may sound confusing if you consider just the title alone; it actually makes a lot of sense when you realize how the idea works. In order to promote an easy way to recycle, the machine takes empty recyclable containers from the user and then gives them money. It is an initiative developed in Australia that attempts to reduce littering and promote recycling at the same time. The idea has a lot of merit. The machine takes the container from the user and scans it using an imaging camera that can tell what type of material the container is. It then gives the user a receipt that they can then scan in adjacent cash machine in order to collect their funds.
The amount it gives back the user is approximately ten cents per container. This is actually a pretty good rate of return for the user. The machine is likely to become commonplace in many Australian cities if it works well. It has the potential to really make a difference. Australia has already got a system of garbage collection that designates specific bins for specific wastes. If a user can get cash back from their recyclables instead of just inserting them directly into their trash bins then they are probably going to accumulate the recyclable containers and drop them in the machine for some extra money when they go shopping.
Even though the machine is only just been deployed for use in the field, it has garnered the interest of other countries and looks like it may take off overseas as well. If it can reduce the amount of landfill and thus reduce the carbon output that a country accumulates then it can only be considered a good thing. The bonus is that it actually pays users for doing the right thing.
It can also be a matter of life and death in certain situations. If you are in the middle of nowhere and break your leg and try to call for help and notice you have no cell phone battery left – then you probably are going to wish you had a portable solar charger. The portable solar chargers come with a fairly wide variety of connectors, so you are not reliant on a USB connection. However, it is worth investing in a USB connector for your devices in order to fully utilize the device. It will also help you reduce the amount of connectors you need to carry around.
The chargers are quite small and do not weigh much so if you are required to stay under a weight limit then there is a good chance that the device will not impact on the limitations. They also work with a fairly wide variety of devices. If you can draw power and recharge the item you want to charge via your computer, then it will most likely work with the portable charger. The price charged for these devices is not exuberant either. If it can save you a few hours of boredom on a long trip it is well worth the price.
