Long lines at the deposit machine could soon be a thing of the past – at least at Aldi. The discounter is testing a new deposit machine that can take up to 100 returnable bottles at the same time. So far, the new deposit machine can only be found in four Aldi branches.

Aldi is testing a new deposit machine that can hold up to 100 returnable bottles at the same time

A name that sounds like a Soviet ICBM: Tomra R1. However, this does not mean a weapon of mass destruction, but a new deposit machinewhich is currently being tested at Aldi (source: Aldi North on Twitter).

The biggest advantage of the Tomra R1 is its speed. Compared to common deposit machines, the big drum can up to 100 PET bottles and beverage cans at the same time take up. Means for the Aldi customer: He is finished with the deposit return faster and can devote himself to the actual purchase.

You can see how the Tomra R1 works in practice in the video below:

Tomra R1: New deposit machine at Aldi

So far, Aldi is only testing the new deposit machine in four German cities:

  • Aldi Nord, Rauendahlstrasse 2, 45529 Hattingen
  • Aldi Nord, Neuschanzer Strasse 19, 26831 Bunde
  • Aldi Nord, Hundertwasserallee 3, 26389 Wilhelmshaven
  • Aldi Süd, Forsterstrasse 5, 52080 Aachen

Aldi customers who do not live near one of the test branches are still looking into the tube.

Other food retailers are also testing the Tomra R1

In addition to Aldi, other food retailers are also testing the new deposit machine. This also includes, among other things Netto, Rewe or Edeka. The Norwegian deposit machine manufacturer has set up a map with a search function on a website. If you want to experience the future of the deposit machine yourself, all you have to do is enter your own postal code and all Tomra R1 locations in the vicinity will be listed (to the store locator at Tomra).

There is now a crunch between Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd. Both discounters cannot agree on the right reaction to the price wave and advertise separately at the beginning of the new year.