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Castle Towers' Smart Bin Transformation
REMONDIS Australia // August 2026
The Charopy Smart Bin program removes approximately 10,000 eligible containers from landfill every month, demonstrating significant environmental impact in a high-traffic retail setting
With a $20,000 investment (50% funded by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners), container rebates and operational savings make the program financially sustainable by year five
Barcode-scanning technology verifies eligible containers before a locked flap opens, removing the opportunity for incorrect materials to enter the recycling stream entirely
CASE STUDY
Castle Towers Shopping Centre is a major retail destination in Sydney’s north-west, welcoming around one million visitors each year. With high foot traffic, effective waste management is critical.
Centre owner, QIC is a long-standing REMONDIS client with ambitious sustainability targets and a strong appetite for innovation. Castle Towers’ centre management team engaged REMONDIS to address ongoing recycling challenges and improve diversion from landfill.
The project focused not only on upgrading infrastructure, but also on changing shopper behaviour and increasing confidence in recycling outcomes. By introducing Charopy Smart Bin technology, to recover eligible beverage containers through the 10c container rebate scheme, REMONDIS delivered cleaner recycling streams, measurable sustainability outcomes and a long-term, financially viable solution.
The Challenge
Like many large shopping centres, Castle Towers generates high volumes of waste from diverse retail tenancies and constant shopper traffic. Despite the availability of commingled recycling bins, contamination rates remained high.
Food waste, soft plastics and coffee cups were frequently placed in recycling bins, while recyclable containers often ended up in general waste. As a result, contaminated loads were diverted to landfill, increasing disposal costs and reinforcing the perception that ‘recycling bins don’t work’.
The challenge went beyond infrastructure. The centre required a solution that could:
- Reduce contamination in co-mingled recycling streams
- Address shopper confusion and scepticism
- Encourage correct disposal at the point of use
- Improve landfill diversion without increasing operational complexity
The REMONDIS Solution
REMONDIS collaborated closely with centre management and key stakeholders to introduce Charopy Smart Bins, building on proven success at QIC’s Canberra Centre and extensive industry research.
Charopy Smart Bins use barcode-scanning technology to verify eligible containers. Once scanned, a locked flap opens to accept the item, removing the opportunity to dispose of incorrect materials and eliminating contamination at the source.
To support the rollout, REMONDIS engaged Charopy CEO Martin Collings to provide hands-on demonstrations, building confidence in the technology and its operation. Ten smart bins were installed throughout Castle Towers, seamlessly integrating into existing public spaces.
Each eligible container returned generates a 10-cent rebate. These rebates contribute to ongoing operating costs, supporting a self-sustaining model over a five-year period.
The Result
The Charopy Smart Bin program demonstrates best-practice, technology-enabled recycling in a high-traffic retail environment. Key outcomes and projected results include:
- Approximately 10,000 bottles diverted from landfill every month
- Significantly cleaner recycling streams with minimal contamination
- Reduced collection frequencies and improved operational efficiency
- Strong shopper engagement and visible sustainability leadership
- Abolished labour previously required to remove contaminants
The total project investment was approximately $20,000, with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners contributing 50% of the upfront cost. Through reduced contamination, optimised collections and container rebates, the program is expected to become cost-neutral within five years.
Most importantly, the initiative has made recycling easier, clearer and more trustworthy for shoppers – delivering stronger environmental outcomes and reinforcing QIC’s commitment to sustainability.
Want to know more?
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Repute Communications
Matthew Watson
M +61 417 691 884
- Case Study
- PDF (English)
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