Vending machines are convenient, but it's not often that you find an eco-friendly vending machine. In response to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Coca-Cola set out to create more responsible machines. The result comes in the form of the Peak Shift vending machines, which can go up to 16 hours each day without using any electricity at all.
Rather than being lined with urethane foam, the Peak Shift machines make use of vacuum-insulated panels, which is significantly thinner and much more capable of insulation. Between the hours of 7 am and 11 pm, there's no need to cool the contents of the machine, since the drinks keep their chill from overnight. Thousands of the units have been installed so far, and Coca-Cola Japan hopes that the Peak Shift machines will make up more than half of its vending machines by 2020.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Eco-friendly Vending Machines
- Opportunity to develop vending machines that reduce energy consumption and have a positive environmental impact through the use of innovative technology
- Vacuum-insulated Panels
- Opportunity to develop vacuum-insulated panels for use in industries beyond vending machines
- Off-peak Energy Use
- Opportunity to explore ways to reduce energy consumption during off-peak hours across various industries
Sectors Adopting This
- Vending Machine Industry
- Companies can innovate by developing and promoting eco-friendly vending machines that reduce energy consumption
- Insulation Industry
- The demand for vacuum-insulated panels is likely to increase, creating opportunities for companies in the insulation industry to innovate
- Energy Industry
- Companies can invest in innovative technology to reduce energy consumption during off-peak hours and incentivize energy efficiency across various industries
