PepsiCo Dream Machine Recycling Program Comes to UT

The University of Tampa announced recently that the PepsiCo Dream Machine recycling program has been rolled out on campus, providing the UT community with a convenient and rewarding way to recycle their bottles and cans while on-the-go.

The Dream Machine recycling initiative, created by PepsiCo in collaboration with Waste Management, is introducing thousands of recycling bins and kiosks at popular public locations across North America. Dream Machine kiosks are computerized receptacles that include a personal reward system, powered by Greenopolis, which allows users to earn points for every bottle or can they recycle in the kiosk and redeem those points for local discounts on entertainment, dining and travel.

At UT, the kiosk is located between the Macdonald-Kelce Library and the UT Swimming Complex.

Additionally, the more bottles and cans people recycle in the Dream Machines at The University of Tampa, and in Dream Machines across the nation, the more support PepsiCo will provide to the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, a national program offering free experiential training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 U.S. veterans with disabilities.

“We are so pleased that the University of Tampa has partnered with the Dream Machine program to make Dream Machines available to students and faculty,” said Jeremy Cage, senior vice president and head of the Dream Machine Recycling Initiative, PepsiCo. “Those who recycle in Dream Machines can earn rewards and help make a real difference for our planet and in the lives of disabled U.S. veterans.”

According to Dan Huber, UT associate professor of biology and chair of the faculty sustainability committee, the Dream Machine program merges UT’s commitment to education with sustainability and philanthropy, and encourages participation on a large scale via a rewards system.

“Not only can students, staff and faculty increase recycling on campus and get rewards for their effort, but they can support experiential, entrepreneurial learning amongst veterans with disabilities,” Huber said. “We are optimistic this will become a permanent part of our campus and perhaps the first of a couple of Dream Machines.”

With approximately 4,000 Dream Machines located in 40 states to-date, the program aims to create strategic partnerships to help increase the U.S. beverage container recycling rate to 50 percent by 2018.

To learn more about the Dream Machine, visit www.facebook.com/DreamMachine.