TOMRA Joins NorCham Michigan: Transforming Resource Use and Recycling

We are pleased to announce that TOMRA has joined NorCham Michigan as our newest member. A global leader in resource optimization and recycling technology, TOMRA brings over five decades of innovation and impact to our community, with a strong Norwegian heritage and a growing presence in North America.

Founded in Norway in 1972, TOMRA began with a simple but powerful idea—automating the collection of used beverage containers through reverse vending machines (RVMs). Today, TOMRA is a global leader in advanced collection and sorting systems, enabling a circulareconomy through cutting-edge sensor-based technology for waste management and food processing.

With 105,000+ installations across 100+ markets and approximately €1.35 billion in revenue in 2024, TOMRA operates on every continent with one mission:

To transform how we obtain, use, and reuse the planet’s resources—to enable a world without waste.

Driving Impact in Michigan

TOMRA’s presence in Michigan contributes meaningfully to one of the most successful recycling systems in the United States. The Michigan Beverage Container Deposit Law, commonly known as the Bottle Bill, was enacted in the 1970s and has consistently delivered exceptional results. An impressive 95% of eligible beverage containers are recycled under this system—dramatically reducing waste, emissions, and pollution.

This achievement is made possible by a collaborative network of stakeholders, including beverage retailers, distributors, logistics providers, and technology leaders like TOMRA. Working in close partnership with Schupan, the largest independent processor of aluminum beverage containers in the U.S., and UBCR LLC, the logistics backbone of the system, TOMRA supplies and services the reverse vending machines that make container return convenient and efficient.

The numbers speak for themselves: the average Michigander recycles 553 bottles per year, more than five times the national average. This success underscores what’s possible when consumer incentives, cutting-edge technology, and public-private partnerships come together for environmental good.

About NorCham Michigan

We warmly welcome TOMRA to Norcham USA’s growing network of members and look forward to supporting their continued growth and impact across North America.

NorCham Michigan is a regional chapter of NorCham USA, working to strengthen economic and cultural ties between Norway and the U.S.. Through events, advocacy, and partnerships, we support businesses and professionals.