Swiss group IGORA, a co-operative body set up by the aluminium industry and drinks manufacturers in 1990 to promote aluminium can recovery in Switzerland, is using 'Lucky Can' machines as a promotional tool. There are now 85 of the machines in Swiss supermarkets and similar locations. In 1994 they collected more than seven million cans. When a can is placed in the machine, revolving drums similar to those in slot machines indicate whether a prize has been awarded. The range of prizes includes free flights as well as cash prizes up to SFr500.
The Austrian Economics Ministry has sent out over a million eye-catching paper bags to homes in Austria for the separate collection of batteries, which are notoriously deleterious in landfill sites. When full, the bags can be traded at shops for receipts entitling the holder to take part in a national lottery with 400,000 Schillings in prize money. The hope is that this will lead to 80 per cent of used batteries being returned to their point-of-sale.
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