It seems the message sometimes forgotten by consumers is that recycling is not just about keeping the environment clean, but that used products still have value. What better way to learn the value than getting something useful in return for doing the right thing and bringing plastic bottles to be recycled? It looks as if the Chinese might be on to something with their clever project of turning plastic bottles into underground tokens or free minutes for an individual’s mobile.

Back in 2012, a pilot project was set up in Beijing with 10 machines installed at a single underground station to learn whether commuters would pay with bottles in return for a ride on the train. It appears they were as the company has since installed machines at 34 underground stations within the capital city and now plans to bump up the number to 100. And the Chinese are not the only ones offering tokens for bottles. In July officials in Sydney / Australia launched a similar programme.

If only citizens could pay their taxes with recyclable items, we might find a solution for a couple of nagging problems…