Japan is known around the world for its vast array of vending machines, selling everything from plastic food samples right through to scary stories. Now, though, there’s a new type of vending machine attracting attention, and it’s not what it sells but how it sells that’s making headlines.
The new machine, developed by beverages giant Asahi, paves the way for a new era in automatic vending systems, because it actually absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
What’s more, the CO2 absorbed by the machine will then be used to make industrial materials such as fertilizer and concrete, some of which will be utilized in the building of seaweed beds in the sea, creating a “blue carbon ecosystem”. Asahi says this is the first-ever machine of its type in Japan to contribute to “the realization of a decarbonised society”.
Making the initiative even more impressive is the fact that it’s now past the initial development stage, with patents pending for both the CO2-absorbing vending machine and the CO2-resource recycling initiative that utilizes the vending machine.
That means the new machines are ready to be deployed out in the wild, with Asahi planning to install a total of 30 machines in places with high carbon dioxide levels, such as indoor environments, and outdoors in the Kanto and Kansai areas — the country’s most populous regions in and around Tokyo and Osaka — in order to compare and verify the amount and speed of CO2 absorption.
According to Asahi, vending machines work by sucking in the surrounding air, which it then uses to cool or warm the products inside. The new machines, however, contain a special material that allows the unit to absorb only CO2 from the atmosphere, essentially giving it the same function as a tree, which also absorbs CO2 from its environment.
▼ More trees means less carbon, which creates a healthier environment, and in a hay-fever-prone country like Japan, it’s a bonus if they don’t produce pollen.
The annual CO2 absorption per unit is expected to set off around 20 percent of the CO2 emissions from the electricity used, which is equivalent to the annual absorption of about 20 Japanese cedar trees aged 56-60 years.
Following the initial rollout in June, Asahi plans for full-scale deployment of the machines from 2024. The company says it aims to continue developing materials with high CO2 absorption capacity, in order to eventually develop vending machines that are totally carbon neutral in the future.
Source: PR Times
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© SoraNews24
23 Comments
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sakurasuki
No it won't offset coal from carbon that vending machine consume.
1glenn
According to the article, it takes more CO2 out of the air than is put into the air by its manufacture. Not bad.
tokyo_m
Total greenwashing gimmick.
Hikikomorii
Lame. Tell me about it if this vending runs on its own solar or wind energy and is not plugged in on a wall socket.
151E
@1glenn
Unless the article has been edited since your comment, nowhere in the article above does it claim the vending machines takes more CO2 out of the air than is put into the air by its manufacture. However, it clearly says in the second last paragraph that: the annual CO2 absorption per unit is expected to set off "around" 20 percent of the CO2 emissions from the electricity used.
proxy
Do the carbonated beverages have a higher environmental cost than the non-carbonated ones?
Phillip bear
@tokyo_m
Well, maybe ... I hope the CO2 absorbent material is not just calcium oxide, CaO, or something similar.
CaO will certainly absorb the CaO and perform as described.
However, calcium oxide is usually made by heating calcium carbonate (typically, limestone) to about 600°C, where it decomposing into the calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. CaCO3 + heat -- CaO + CO2. The reverse reaction, CaO + CO2 -- CaCO3 + heat, fits the description in the article.
If the decomposition heat is not provided by fossil fuels then the net CO2 absorbed will still be less than produced. If fossil fuels are used ... CO2 +++
Phillip bear
Did Asahi do a full environmental Life Cycle Assessment?
Hervé L'Eisa
CO2 is plant food, necessary for photosynthesis, production of O2.
dan
Hilarious greenwashing nonsense!
Hervé L'Eisa
Downvoted for stating a basic scientific fact.
What ol' Jack Burton always says
Iam sceptical of this announcement.
The machine probably produces more Co2 than it collects
wallace
There are more than 5.5 million vending machines using more than 19.25 TWh/year. Let's assume a typical (refrigerated) vending machine consumes 3,500 kWh/year. 3,500 kWh x 5,500,000 = 19,250,000,000 kWh .
That is the electricity used by 5 million homes.
falseflagsteve
The boffins have been hard at work again, lol. What are they like eh!
albaleo
Perhaps for stating an irrelevant scientific fact. There are various chemicals that are essential for life, but that doesn't mean more of them is better.
Patricia Yarrow
Bring back water fountains everywhere, as it used to be, before vending machines and water in plastic bottles.
falseflagsteve
Patricia
Oh, yes that’s a better idea. They were soooo handy weren’t they, used to be loads about when I was little. What a shame things like that have stopped.
virusrex
Another vote for this, huge savings on CO2 production by not needing refrigeration or bottles.
The CO2 absorbing machines may be better than the normal ones (that would depend on the extra energy costs from producing, running and maintaining the machines) but they are not better than the already best available options, just more profitable.
falseflagsteve
OMG OMG OMg I’m in agreement with Virusrex on this one, miracles do happen, lol
Peter Neil
I wonder if there’s a screen on the back and a birds nest fern plant inside?
ClippetyClop
Typical. If it isn't 100% 'Green' then it should be ignored, discarded. Like telling Carl Benz in 1886 that his car doesn't have Satnav so he shouldn't bother. Lame indeed.
falseflagsteve
Bought water from a Vending machine today at Kyobashi, 110 Yen. Put in 150 and went to get change and there was 140 there, someone must have left 100 Yen, lol.
deepk
Appreciate the effort, first steps have to be encouraged but I see a lot of negativity in the comments section.
I agree the technology is not where it needs to be but refinements can be made only if basic ideas are kick started.
https://www.wri.org/insights/6-ways-remove-carbon-pollution-sky
Read the "Direct Air Capture" section.