Request for Information
for
Reverse Vending Machine Programs
by
Northeast Maryland
Waste Disposal Authority
Date of Issue: January 27, 2026
Request for Information for Reverse Vending Machine Programs
Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority
January 27, 2026
Table of Contents
A. GENERAL INFORMATION ...........................................................................3
B. BACKGROUND.........................................................................................3
C. RESPONSES ............................................................................................5
D. DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................7
Request for Information for Reverse Vending Machine Programs
Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority
January 27, 2026
A. GENERAL INFORMATION
The Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority (the “Authority”) is a multi-county
agency created by the State of Maryland to assist participating member jurisdictions
(“Member Jurisdictions” or “Members”) with recycling and waste management systems.
Members include Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford,
Howard, and Montgomery Counties. Maryland Environmental Service, an instrumentality
of the State of Maryland, is an ex-officio member. More information on the Authority can be
found at: www.nmwda.org
The Authority is issuing a Request for Information (“RFI”) on behalf of the Baltimore City’s
Department of Public Works (“DPW”) to gather information from businesses and/or other
entities that may be interested in partnering with the City of Baltimore (“City”) to
implement reverse vending machines for commonly used beverage containers. The
Authority and DPW seek responses to the questions listed in the “RESPONSES” section of
this RFI. The Authority and DPW may use the information collected through this RFI to plan
for future waste diversion efforts, related costs and draft a potential Request for Proposal
(“RFP”). This RFI does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise. The Authority
and City will not be responsible for any costs incurred by respondents to prepare and
submit their response to this RFI.
B. BACKGROUND
Waste Reduction Goals
In June 2020, the DPW, Bureau of Solid Waste released the City’s Long-Term Solid Waste
Operational Plan as part of the Less Waste Better Baltimore (LWBB), a multi-year planning
process led by waste consultants, Geosyntec Consultants (“Geosyntec”). Tangible
progress on LWBB’s goals and objectives requires implementing programs that incentivize
waste reduction and recycling, which can take many forms.
For many years, there has been a statewide effort to establish a Maryland Beverage
Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program. However, given the uncertainty
Request for Information for Reverse Vending Machine Programs
Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority
January 27, 2026
and extended timeline associated with potential passage by the Maryland General
Assembly, the City seeks to explore opportunities for more immediate, local action. This
interest is driven in large part by the significant presence of beverage container litter on the
City’s land and in its waterways.
Of the estimated 5.2 billion beverage containers sold in Maryland each year, only 23% are
recycled. The other four billion containers a year are incinerated, landfilled, or littered in
the natural environment. As a result, reverse vending machines in public spaces near food
retailers are of particular interest to the City to reduce waste. Reverse vending machines
would reward recycling beverage containers, which include aluminum cans, glass bottles,
and plastic bottles. In exchange for dropping off beverage containers, the City envisions
the reverse vending machine issuing some type of incentive, such as money, tokens, credit
for parking meters, or vouchers for public transportation.
Based on the potential for waste diversion, the Authority and DPW are requesting
information on the best reverse vending machine options.
Baltimore City’s Contribution
The City understands that it will likely need to support business models related to reverse
vending machines. One goal of this RFI is to better understand how to budget for such
reverse vending machine devices and programs. The City envisions a few scenarios for
contributing to the program:
• Providing limited operating support to an entity that can run a reverse vending
machine program and provide reverse vending machines.
• Providing land and/or city owned buildings on/within which to site reverse vending
machines
• Building connections with local businesses like grocery stores, and public hubs,
such as libraries, to establish a network of potential vending machine locations
Request for Information for Reverse Vending Machine Programs
Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority
January 27, 2026
C. RESPONSES
This RFI seeks responses to the following questions from Businesses, Organizations, Non-
Profits, Engineering Firms, Solid Waste Associations, and other members of the public
about reverse vending machine programs and devices. The feedback from this RFI may be
used to develop future Requests for Proposals and implement waste diversion strategies
and practices. Responses are not limited to the list of questions below, and the Authority
and City are open to other ideas or feedback not detailed within this RFI.
Guidelines for Submission
A. Contact Information
a. Organization Name
b. Organization Address, Phone Number, E-mail, Website
c. Name, Title, Phone Number, and Email of Contact Person at Organization
the Authority and City may contact concerning your response and all
subsequent information regarding this RFI.
B. Include a brief history of the organization, operational experience, and list and
describe the reverse vending services offered
C. Responses to Questions
RFI respondents should provide a general overview of the reverse vending solution(s) they
would provide, including siting, technology, and logistics considerations. RFI respondents
should, at a minimum, answer the following questions:
1) What are the general costs and high-level budget considerations associated with
implementing the reverse vending machine program?
2) Can you demonstrate any cost avoidance/savings for an organization that
implements reverse vending machines?
3) What types of beverage containers do the reverse vending machine accept? What
types of containers do the reverse vending machine prohibit?
4) Could reverse vending machines accept beverage containers/packaging that are
cartons, pouches, aseptic or gable top containers?
5) What support would be needed from the City, either up front or on an ongoing
basis?
6) What potential incentives would be provided in exchange for the returned beverage
containers? Please provide examples from your experience, if applicable.
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
