This ultra thin Malaysian recycling machine just broke a world record

In a world where vending machines are usually known for dishing out snacks and drinks, one Malaysian company just flipped the script. ATLAS Vending have earned themselves a Guinness World Record for building the thinnest reverse vending machine with a compaction system.

Yes, it’s a mouthful. But here’s why this is actually a pretty big deal.

 

This Guinness certified recycling machine can actually give you rewards

The ATLAS ECOPOD is a slim, AI-powered machine that accepts your used PET bottles and aluminium cans, crushes them to save space, and then gives you rewards in return. Think Touch ‘n Go eWallet credits and other goodies.

At just 35cm thin, the ECOPOD can squeeze into narrow spaces like LRT stations or shopfronts, making it perfect for crowded Malaysian cities. It even uses AI to identify the bottle, check if it’s the real deal (especially for Etika products), and compress it inside.

More importantly, it makes recycling accessible and even fun, especially for people who’ve never had a reason to bother before.

“The ATLAS ECOPOD transforms recycling into an engaging experience, reflecting our relentless pursuit of sustainable innovation. This record elevates our status on a global scale while reinforcing our commitment to drive environmental change for all Malaysians,” – Santharuban Thurai Sundaram, CEO of Etika Group of Companies

 

It’s a small machine with big goals for Malaysia’s green future

The launch event was held at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, where Minister YB Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad personally unveiled the ECOPOD (and even tested it himself). It’s not every day a minister gets excited over a vending machine, but in this case, it’s part of a bigger push to support Malaysia’s sustainability goals.

“This achievement extends beyond a corporate accolade. It forms part of a national initiative to accelerate the transition towards a green economy, in line with Malaysia’s commitments under Malaysia MADANI, the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), the National Circular Economy Policy, and contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development (SDGs),” – YB Nik Nazmi

Basically, the government wants more private companies like ATLAS Vending to step up in the fight against climate change and plastic pollution. And this machine fits right into that mission.

 

More ECOPODs are coming soon and yes, you’ll be rewarded for recycling

ATLAS Vending plans to roll out 100 ECOPOD units across Malaysia in the first wave, starting with areas with high foot traffic. People who recycle Etika’s beverage bottles i.e. brands like Pepsi, Tropicana, etc. can earn bonus points on top of regular rewards.

And while this machine may be slim, the long term vision is pretty massive. The ECOPOD is part of a larger plan to:

• Encourage grassroots recycling behaviour

• Support a circular economy (where stuff gets reused, not dumped)

• Offer inclusive features like Braille panels and wheelchair access

• Collaborate with public institutions and even tackle issues like period poverty (via free sanitary pad machines in B40 areas)

So while the ECOPOD might have won a Guinness World Record for being the thinnest, its real value lies in how it could help make recycling in Malaysia a lot more efficient, inclusive, and dare we say it, rewarding. If you want to join the ECOPOD revolution, find out more at ATLAS Vending’s official site