Project Information

Bid Title

Reverse Vending Machine Programs

Issuing Agency

Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority

Location

Maryland

Published Date

Jan 27, 2026

Closing Date

Mar 13, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Inquiries

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

how to work with the authority procurement opportunities

Request for Information
for
Reverse Vending Machine Programs
for
Baltimore City, Maryland
Now Available

The Authority is issuing a Request for Information (“RFI”) on behalf of the Baltimore City’s Department of Public Works (“DPW”) to gather information from businesses and/or other entities that may be interested in partnering with the City of Baltimore (“City”) to implement reverse vending machines for commonly used beverage containers. The Authority and DPW seek responses to the questions listed in the “RESPONSES” section of this RFI. The Authority and DPW may use the information collected through this RFI to plan for future waste diversion efforts, related costs and draft a potential Request for Proposal (“RFP”). This RFI does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise. The Authority and City will not be responsible for any costs incurred by respondents to prepare and submit their response to this RFI.

Submission Deadline is 12 p.m. (local time) on Friday, March 13, 2026 (“Due Date”).

Each Vendor shall submit a copy by email with the subject line “Attention: Reverse Vending Machine RFI Response” to procurement@nmwda.org . The response shall not be longer than 30-pages.

Questions and Requests for Clarification related to this RFI should be submitted prior to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026. Questions shall be emailed to procurement@nmwda.org .

The RFI, as well as supporting documents, will be posted and available for viewing/download from the links provided below. You may also email procurement@nmwda.org to request a copy.

RFI for City of Baltimore for Reverse Vending Machine Programs

Notice Posted: 1-27-26

Attachment Preview

Request for Information

for

Reverse Vending Machine Programs

by

Northeast Maryland

Waste Disposal Authority

Date of Issue: January 27, 2026

Request for Information for Reverse Vending Machine Programs

Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority

January 27, 2026

Table of Contents

A. GENERAL INFORMATION ...........................................................................3

B. BACKGROUND.........................................................................................3

C. RESPONSES ............................................................................................5

D. DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................7

Request for Information for Reverse Vending Machine Programs

Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority

January 27, 2026

A. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority (the “Authority”) is a multi-county

agency created by the State of Maryland to assist participating member jurisdictions

(“Member Jurisdictions” or “Members”) with recycling and waste management systems.

Members include Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford,

Howard, and Montgomery Counties. Maryland Environmental Service, an instrumentality

of the State of Maryland, is an ex-officio member. More information on the Authority can be

found at: www.nmwda.org

The Authority is issuing a Request for Information (“RFI”) on behalf of the Baltimore City’s

Department of Public Works (“DPW”) to gather information from businesses and/or other

entities that may be interested in partnering with the City of Baltimore (“City”) to

implement reverse vending machines for commonly used beverage containers. The

Authority and DPW seek responses to the questions listed in the “RESPONSES” section of

this RFI. The Authority and DPW may use the information collected through this RFI to plan

for future waste diversion efforts, related costs and draft a potential Request for Proposal

(“RFP”). This RFI does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise. The Authority

and City will not be responsible for any costs incurred by respondents to prepare and

submit their response to this RFI.

B. BACKGROUND

Waste Reduction Goals

In June 2020, the DPW, Bureau of Solid Waste released the City’s Long-Term Solid Waste

Operational Plan as part of the Less Waste Better Baltimore (LWBB), a multi-year planning

process led by waste consultants, Geosyntec Consultants (“Geosyntec”). Tangible

progress on LWBB’s goals and objectives requires implementing programs that incentivize

waste reduction and recycling, which can take many forms.

For many years, there has been a statewide effort to establish a Maryland Beverage

Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program. However, given the uncertainty

Request for Information for Reverse Vending Machine Programs

Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority

January 27, 2026

and extended timeline associated with potential passage by the Maryland General

Assembly, the City seeks to explore opportunities for more immediate, local action. This

interest is driven in large part by the significant presence of beverage container litter on the

City’s land and in its waterways.

Of the estimated 5.2 billion beverage containers sold in Maryland each year, only 23% are

recycled. The other four billion containers a year are incinerated, landfilled, or littered in

the natural environment. As a result, reverse vending machines in public spaces near food

retailers are of particular interest to the City to reduce waste. Reverse vending machines

would reward recycling beverage containers, which include aluminum cans, glass bottles,

and plastic bottles. In exchange for dropping off beverage containers, the City envisions

the reverse vending machine issuing some type of incentive, such as money, tokens, credit

for parking meters, or vouchers for public transportation.

Based on the potential for waste diversion, the Authority and DPW are requesting

information on the best reverse vending machine options.

Baltimore City’s Contribution

The City understands that it will likely need to support business models related to reverse

vending machines. One goal of this RFI is to better understand how to budget for such

reverse vending machine devices and programs. The City envisions a few scenarios for

contributing to the program:

• Providing limited operating support to an entity that can run a reverse vending

machine program and provide reverse vending machines.

• Providing land and/or city owned buildings on/within which to site reverse vending

machines

• Building connections with local businesses like grocery stores, and public hubs,

such as libraries, to establish a network of potential vending machine locations

Request for Information for Reverse Vending Machine Programs

Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority

January 27, 2026

C. RESPONSES

This RFI seeks responses to the following questions from Businesses, Organizations, Non-

Profits, Engineering Firms, Solid Waste Associations, and other members of the public

about reverse vending machine programs and devices. The feedback from this RFI may be

used to develop future Requests for Proposals and implement waste diversion strategies

and practices. Responses are not limited to the list of questions below, and the Authority

and City are open to other ideas or feedback not detailed within this RFI.

Guidelines for Submission

A. Contact Information

a. Organization Name

b. Organization Address, Phone Number, E-mail, Website

c. Name, Title, Phone Number, and Email of Contact Person at Organization

the Authority and City may contact concerning your response and all

subsequent information regarding this RFI.

B. Include a brief history of the organization, operational experience, and list and

describe the reverse vending services offered

C. Responses to Questions

RFI respondents should provide a general overview of the reverse vending solution(s) they

would provide, including siting, technology, and logistics considerations. RFI respondents

should, at a minimum, answer the following questions:

1) What are the general costs and high-level budget considerations associated with

implementing the reverse vending machine program?

2) Can you demonstrate any cost avoidance/savings for an organization that

implements reverse vending machines?

3) What types of beverage containers do the reverse vending machine accept? What

types of containers do the reverse vending machine prohibit?

4) Could reverse vending machines accept beverage containers/packaging that are

cartons, pouches, aseptic or gable top containers?

5) What support would be needed from the City, either up front or on an ongoing

basis?

6) What potential incentives would be provided in exchange for the returned beverage

containers? Please provide examples from your experience, if applicable.

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 454210Vending Machine Operators

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