Refund Ranger, the international brand of Dutch reverse vending company Statieheld, has officially launched a new reverse vending technology brand in the UK.
Building on years of experience in the Dutch deposit return system, the company aims to make reverse vending accessible to smaller retail and commercial locations ahead of the UK's Deposit Return Scheme, launching on 1 October 2027.
Lessons from the Netherlands
The Netherlands extended its deposit system to small plastic bottles in 2021 and to cans at the end of 2022. Statieheld built its business in that transition, developing a compact machine for the places a supermarket-sized machine doesn't fit or doesn't pay off: schools, universities, offices, forecourts, leisure sites and convenience stores.
"When deposits reached small bottles and cans in the Netherlands, people wanted to return them everywhere, not just at the supermarket," says Valerie van Zuijlen, CEO of Statieheld. "Smaller sites need a machine that takes little space, runs without IT projects and is easy for staff to empty. We have spent years getting that right in the Netherlands. The UK is about to go through the same change, and we want to help businesses get ready before October 2027."
Built for smaller sites
The Refund Ranger takes up less than one square metre of floor space and plugs into a standard 13A socket. A built-in 4G connection means no network setup on site. An integrated compactor holds up to 500 bottles and cans. Customers receive a voucher they can redeem for cash or spend in store, which brings returns straight back to the till.
Every machine is connected to a cloud dashboard. Site owners and Refund Ranger's support team can see fill levels, returns and faults remotely, so most issues are picked up before a customer notices.
Machines are developed, built and quality-checked at Statieheld's headquarters in Ede. A UK team handles the installation and maintenance, with spare parts held in the UK.
Refund Ranger has registered with Exchange for Change, the scheme's Deposit Management Organisation, as a reverse vending supplier. Pilot sites across retail, forecourts, education and leisure will follow in 2027. Pre-orders are open now, with installations in order of pre-order.