VENDING ASSOCIATIONS The Automatic Vending Association (AVA)
European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA)
Sustainability in Italian vending
2024: A Year of Advocacy and Progress for the AVA
T
he Automatic Vending Association (AVA) celebrated a pivotal year in 2024, marked by impactful lobbying efforts, member-focused events, and a commitment to
supporting the vending and automated retail sector through a challenging landscape. Recognising the vital role of legislation and advocacy, the AVA included engaging with policymakers on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). These discussions ensured the industry’s voice was heard, emphasising the need for practical and balanced policies that align with sustainability goals while supporting businesses. The AVA’s proactive approach demonstrated its unwavering dedication to protecting and advancing the interests of its members. To build on this momentum, the AVA has announced the
recruitment of a Public Affairs Manager in 2025. This new role will strengthen the association’s capacity to address legislative challenges and ensure the industry remains well-represented at the national level. In 2024, member engagement remained at the heart of the
AVA’s activities. Several AVA Live: On the Road events took showcasing new innovations. These events provided valuable opportunities for members to collaborate, share insights, and discuss emerging trends. In addition, the AVA hosted online webinars, delivering critical updates and practical advice. The year concluded with the much-anticipated Christmas Luncheon, which brought the industry together to celebrate achievements and foster camaraderie. Through its advocacy, events, and member support initiatives,
the AVA has demonstrated its commitment to leading the industry through evolving challenges. Anyone wishing to read our full end-of-year review can do so on our website here. With plans for further advancements in 2025, the AVA is poised to continue shaping the future of vending and automated retail.
+44 (0) 3300 883 267
info@the-ava.com
the-ava.com
David Irvine, EVA Public Affairs Manager
introduced under the wide-ranging and essential theme of ‘sustainability’ – I’m thinking most obviously of recent EU packaging laws, as well as EU energy consumption targets for vending machines – it is an appropriate time to truly consider how sustainable vending currently is. The Italian Vending
A
Association (CONFIDA) recently published a Report providing a useful look into the sustainable and environmental initiatives amongst its members and the wider Italian vending industry, and there are certainly some best practice examples worth mentioning, from combating food and product waste to choosing the best suppliers. For example and thanks to an agreement with Fondazione
Banco Alimentare, an organisation that collects excess food and redistributes it to charitable organisations, Italian vending companies donated 74 tons of food products in 2023. The entire supply chain is key to improved environmental performance, and the Report outlines that 57% of companies evaluate new suppliers based on sustainability criteria. 35% have redesigned logistics to lower emissions, and 31% use electric vehicles. In addition, 80% of vending companies now use energy from renewable sources, with more than half (51%) using their own energy source. The RiVending cup collection scheme, highlighted a number
of times by the EVA as a best practice example for vending, helped recycle 53 million cups in 2023. Simply placing a plastic cup in the RiVending bin saves 6 grams of CO2, resulting in an impressive annual total saving of 300 tons of CO2. Many more projects and individual company initiatives are show that the vending industry is indeed playing its part in reducing its environmental footprint. While this Report naturally focuses on Italy, the EVA is also aware of various initiatives taking place in other key vending markets.
+32 (0) 2 512 00 75
vending@vending-europe.eu www.
vending-europe.eu
s more and more policy initiatives are
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