The system
Counting and clearing happen at the source, SDM capacity needs fall and the system’s carbon footprint drops.
Crush it at the counter, shorten the road.
minidim is a compact DOA return machine for the manual return points of grocers, kiosks and small markets. It counts, verifies and crushes PET and aluminium packaging, so the same vehicle carries 5 times more.
- more packaging per vehicle
- 5×
- less transport load
- 80%
- of a DİM’s cost and volume
- ¼
Since you opened this page, CO₂ avoided in the 10,000 minidim scenario0.00 kg
The per-second share of ~6,260 t CO₂ saved a year. A worked example, not a measurement.
Context
Türkiye’s deposit return system (DOA) is growing fast, and return point capacity has to keep up.
- DOA launched across Türkiye on 1 July 2026
- 81 provinces
- Grocers, kiosks and small markets need to become return points: returns belong where people go every day
- MİN
- DİM target for end of 2027: a self-service machine does not fit every location
- 10,000
- Handheld terminal target for end of 2027: four times as many manual return points as DİMs
- 40,000+
Most returns will pass through Manual Return Points (MİN) that work with a handheld terminal. How the packaging collected there is transported directly determines the cost and carbon footprint of the system.
The problem
Packaging collected at a MİN has to travel uncrushed.
Volume
Packaging cannot be compressed before it is cleared from the deposit. Bags travel full of air, and the vehicle fills up by volume long before weight.
Trips
Every load goes to a Counting and Verification Centre (SDM). An average 40 km route means many trips, plus fuel and energy use.
SDM load
Because counting and verification happen at the SDM, every item is handled a second time and the centre has to keep growing.
A DİM solves this, but it needs space, budget and installation. It is not suitable for most small and medium-sized locations.
The solution
minidim brings counting and verification to the return point.
It gives manual return points, where an attendant is already present, the function of a DİM in a compact body on wheels.
Counts and verifies
Counting is done together with the handheld terminal; the transaction does not complete until both counts match.
Clears and crushes
Packaging is crushed, cleared from the deposit and cannot be scanned again.
Separates
PET and aluminium are collected separately.
Moves
Lockable wheels make it easy to relocate.
How it works
A return is completed in four steps.
- 1
Start on the terminal
The customer shows the QR code in the app, the attendant scans it with the handheld terminal and counts the packaging.
- 2
Feed minidim
The attendant feeds the items into minidim one by one. Barcodes are read and PET and aluminium are separated.
- 3
Double count matches
minidim sends its own count to the terminal wirelessly. The transaction does not complete until both counts match.
- 4
Crush and clear
Packaging is crushed and cleared from the deposit. The refund is loaded to the DOA Wallet.
Capacity: 40 items per minute. Only PET and aluminium beverage packaging carrying the DOA logo is accepted.
Product film
See minidim at work.
Watch a return flow from start to finish in about a minute.
Before and after
Counting ends at the point of return; compressed loads go to the SDM.
Today: without minidim
- Items are counted on the terminal and bagged uncrushed
- Bags pile up at the location and take up space
- Volume forces frequent trips (~40 km)
- Items are counted and verified again at the SDM
With minidim
- The terminal and minidim count and verify together
- Packaging is crushed and cleared from the deposit instantly
- The same vehicle carries 5 times more packaging, with fewer trips
- Counting needs and capacity pressure at the SDM go down
Carbon gains
Transport load drops by 80% for every million items.
Crushed packaging takes up less space. Less space means fewer trips, less fuel and fewer emissions.
Carbon calculator
Drag a slider or type a number in the box; we work out the annual gain with the same assumptions.
units
items / day
km
Annual gain
6,260.5
tonnes less CO₂
- items processed
- 3.7bn
- trips avoided
- 292,000
- fewer km driven
- 23.4m
- L less diesel
- 2.3m
Calculated for 365 days a year, round-trip distance, 10 L / 100 km fuel use and an emission factor of 2.68 kg CO₂ / L. This is a worked example, not a forecast.
Per 1 million items
- fewer tripsfrom 100 to 20
- 80
- fewer km drivenfrom 8,000 to 1,600
- 6,400
- less dieselfrom 800 to 160
- 640 L
- less CO₂from 2.14 t to 0.43 t
- 1.72 t
Driver hours, vehicle wear and counting workload at the SDM fall by the same ratio, but are not included in this calculation.
Scale scenario: 10,000 minidim units
- Items processed
- 3.65 billion
- Trips avoided
- ~292,000
- Distance avoided
- ~23.4 million km
- Diesel saved
- ~2.34 million L
- Emissions avoided
- ~6,260 t CO₂
One minidim at each of 10,000 MİNs, each handling an average of 1,000 items a day, 365 days a year.
Calculation assumptions
| Assumption | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Distance between MİN and SDM | 40 km (80 km round trip) | Average assumption |
| Vehicle | Light commercial panel van, diesel | Field operator fleet |
| Fuel consumption | 10 L / 100 km | Loaded, mixed use |
| Diesel emission factor | 2.68 kg CO₂ / L | IPCC value |
| Load per trip, uncrushed | 10,000 items | Limited by volume |
| Load per trip, with minidim | 50,000 items (5×) | About 1 t, within vehicle capacity |
The calculation covers only transport from MİN to SDM. Fuel per trip is 8 L and carbon 21.4 kg CO₂. For other distances or vehicles, results scale by the same ratio.
Operational impact
Every trip avoided is a gain for the field operator.
Fewer trips mean less fuel, fewer driver hours and lower vehicle costs. Enter your own costs and see the annual gain.
Gain calculator
Drag a slider or type a number in the box.
units
items / day
km
TRY / L
TRY / km
Annual operational gain
43.2m
TRY / year· per unit per month: 3,601 TRY
- per unit per year (TRY)
- 43,216
- trips avoided
- 29,200
- fuel saved (TRY)
- 15.2m
- driver and vehicle saving (TRY)
- 28m
Trips are worked out as in the carbon calculator (10,000 / 50,000 items, round trip, 10 L / 100 km). Driver and vehicle cost covers wages, maintenance, tyres and depreciation. Prices are examples. The result is a gross gain: the minidim investment and energy cost are not deducted, and the lighter workload at the SDM is not added.
Where it fits
Fits grocers, kiosks and small markets.
1,000 mm800 mmSmall footprint
1 m tall, it fits next to the counter.
Moves around
On wheels, it can be brought forward at busy hours.
Stays tidy
A closed bin instead of a pile of bags.
Builds trust
Customers see their packaging counted and crushed.
DOA-logo packaging onlyTechnical specifications
Compact body, full function.
- Dimensions (W × D × H)
- 800 × 950 × 1000 mm
- Weight
- Approx. 150 kg, on lockable wheels
- Accepted packaging
- PET and aluminium with the DOA logo
- Capacity
- 40 items per minute
- Storage
- 250 items, up to 600 on request
- Largest item
- Ø140 × 450 mm, 5 kg
- Sorting
- Separate compactors for PET and aluminium
- Motor
- 0.75 kW
- Verification
- Wireless double count with the handheld terminal and the minidim DB
Compared with a DİM
Not a replacement for a DİM, but a fit where a DİM cannot go.
minidim needs an attendant. So it does not compete with a DİM; it equips manual return points, where an attendant is already present, with the same function in places a DİM cannot be installed.
| Criterion | DİM | minidim |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Reference | About a quarter |
| Volume | Reference | About a quarter of the volume |
| Mobility | Fixed installation | On lockable wheels, can be relocated |
| Counting and cancellation | Automatic, on site | Double count with the terminal, on site |
| Operation | Self-service | With an attendant and handheld terminal |
Stakeholders
A distinct gain for every link in the system.
Field operator
The same vehicle carries 5 times more packaging; trips, fuel and driver hours go down.
Return point
Less storage space, a tidier return corner and faster transactions.
Investor
Equipment at about a quarter of a DİM’s cost that can scale to tens of thousands of MİNs.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask about minidim.
If your answer is not here, give us a call.
What is the minidim DOA return machine?
minidim is a compact counting, verification and crushing unit for manual return points in Türkiye’s DOA deposit return system. The attendant feeds the packaging into minidim together with the handheld terminal; the machine counts, verifies, clears the deposit and crushes it.
How is minidim different from a reverse vending machine (DİM)?
A DİM is self-service and needs a fixed installation, space and budget. minidim works with an attendant and a handheld terminal, costs and measures about a quarter of a DİM, and moves on lockable wheels. It is not a DİM competitor; it is for places where a DİM cannot be installed.
Which packaging does it accept?
Only PET and aluminium beverage packaging carrying the DOA logo. The largest item is Ø140 × 450 mm and 5 kg. PET and aluminium are collected in separate compactors.
How much space does it take?
It measures 800 × 950 × 1000 mm (W × D × H) and weighs about 150 kg. It fits next to the counter and can be rolled forward at busy hours.
What is its capacity?
It processes 40 items per minute. The bin holds 250 items and can be enlarged to 600 on request.
How are the fuel and carbon savings calculated?
Uncrushed, one trip carries 10,000 items; with minidim, 50,000. For every million items that means 80 fewer trips, 6,400 fewer km, 640 L less diesel and 1.72 t less CO₂. The calculation uses a 40 km distance, 10 L / 100 km and 2.68 kg CO₂ per litre.
How can I get information or a demo?
Call us on +90 850 400 88 87.
Contact
Let’s equip your return point with minidim.
Write to us as a field operator, return point or investor to learn more or request a demo.
- Phone
- +90 850 400 88 87
- Address
- Oruçreis Mah. Giyimkent 19. Sokak No:139, Esenler / Istanbul, Türkiye