Why “smart” matters wherever you’re trying to divert waste

No matter which policy mechanism is in play – EPR, DRS, pay-as-you-throw, recycling targets, or local authority recycling services — the success factor is the same: what happens at the point of disposal.

Smart infrastructure improves diversion by reliably delivering four outcomes:

Clarity: people know what to do, right where the decision is made
Convenience: it’s easy to do the right thing, every day
Quality: materials stay clean, protected, and usable
Accountability: performance is measurable and systems can be improved (and funded) based on real data

Whether you’re delivering EPR outcomes in multifamily housing or scaling DRS return points, metroSTOR smart infrastructure improves diversion at the moment it matters—reducing contamination, increasing participation, cutting queues with bag-drop-friendly returns, and supporting modern digital redemption options.

EPR: producer responsibility that depends on multifamily performance

What EPR is trying to achieve

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) shifts the cost and performance obligation for packaging waste onto the producers that place packaging on the market. The aim is measurable outcomes:

Higher capture of recyclable packaging

Lower contamination
(clean, usable recyclate)

Consistent reporting that stands up to scrutiny

System designs that change behavior at scale

Why multifamily is the make-or-break sector

In large cities, multifamily housing can represent the majority of homes (often cited as up to ~80%). It’s also where recycling performance is most difficult because:

responsibility is shared (and often anonymous)
resident turnover is high (re-onboarding never stops)
space is constrained (streams get mixed)
convenience wins (confusion = contamination)
overflow and mess create a “why bother?” loop

What it means for producers if recycling from multifamily isn’t clean

If clean recycling can’t be consistently separated at scale in dense housing, producers face:

higher net costs (sorting, rejection, disposal of contaminated “recycling”)
lower value recovered from materials streams
missed targets in the places that matter most
weaker assurance/reporting and harder optimization
reputation risk when visible failure points undermine confidence

How metroSTOR helps EPR work in multifamily

metroSTOR supports EPR outcomes by improving the disposal environment and making correct behavior the default:

EPR-ready enclosure infrastructure built for shared, high-footfall settings
Design + communications that increase correct participation at the decision point
Operational reliability that prevents overflow, mess, and mixed deposits from destroying quality
Smart enablement where needed (e.g., registered access and traceability) to reduce chronic misuse and contamination in shared systems

Result:

Higher capture, cleaner recycling, fewer rejected loads, and a system producers can rely on in dense urban housing.

DRS: deposit return that works when returning is easier than binning

What DRS is trying to achieve

Deposit Return Schemes exist to deliver four outcomes at scale:

Higher return rates for eligible containers

Cleaner, higher-value material suitable for closed-loop recycling

Less litter by making containers financially valuable

Auditable performance producers and scheme operators can evidence

Why many current systems struggle

At scale, real-world participation is often held back by friction points that show up again and again:

Long queues and slow throughput at traditional return points, especially at peak times
“Redemption deserts” where convenient sites and opening hours don’t match where people live and shop
User experience fatigue when returns are messy, confusing, or frequently unavailable
Bag-drop inconsistency: where bag-drop exists it’s popular, but many systems aren’t designed to support fast, scalable bag-drop processing
Payment friction when users don’t have modern choices for redemption
Changing container formats including larger beverage containers, which can strain older infrastructure and handling methods

Why metroSTOR?

metroSTOR pairs robust enclosure infrastructure with Smart DRS technology and a simple user journey — Start → Scan → Deposit — designed to reduce friction and increase participation.

Built to reduce queues

Fast deposit flow and high-throughput operation to keep lines moving and improve the experience for households returning in batches.

Built to expand access

A footprint and operating model designed to be easier to site than traditional approaches — supporting more viable locations, from retail-adjacent sites to community hubs.

Bag-drop friendly by design

Supports bag-drop-style returns that match real household behavior, helping cut transaction time and improve convenience.

Flexible redemption methods

Enable payout options that suit different users and communities, including:

Electronic payout (online banking / digital transfer)
Voucher
Donation to a nominated cause or community group
This reduces friction and increases repeat participation — especially for users who don’t want cash handling or delays.

Future-ready for container changes

Designed to accommodate evolving program requirements, including larger beverage containers and mixed eligible materials, without forcing a redesign every time rules or formats change.

Cleaner sites, simpler operations

Durable enclosure construction and contained loading help keep sites tidy and vandal-resistant, improving host acceptance and reducing operational headaches.

Whether you’re delivering EPR outcomes in multifamily housing or scaling DRS return points, metroSTOR smart infrastructure helps you increase diversion and protect material quality — at the moment it matters most.

Smart infrastructure for higher diversion