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My closing statement read: "There is only one real effective and incentive method to encourage environmentally sound collecting of beverage one-way containers and it is deposit in combination with High-Tech R&D resulted Reverse Vending Machines!

New Tomra of North America pilot program

TOMRA’s UNO collection machine offers a unique recycling platform at store level to facilitate beverage container returns and provide customer value

Shelton, CT – March 9, 2009 – Tomra of North America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tomra Systems ASA (TOMRA) and leading global provider of advanced recycling solutions, today announced an agreement with Albertsons, one of the SUPERVALU INC.® (NYSE: SVU) family of stores, to conduct a recycling pilot program to handle the return of plastic, glass and aluminum deposit beverage containers. Under the program, Tomra of North America will place its UNO reverse vending systems at Albertsons’ Corona and Huntington Beach, Calif., stores, providing the stores and their customers with a complete sorting and collection solution.

"TOMRA’s UNO return system provides retailers with a very cost-effective, flexible and consumer-friendly system to collect and manage beverage containers and remuneration," said Greg Knoll, President and CEO, Tomra of North America. "UNO offers retailers an organized, space-saving collection point, providing consumers with refund transactions as well as store promotion materials.
UNO also  provides for transaction data, transmitted wirelessly, on a monthly basis." 
 
"Studies show that consumers who return empties during their shopping visit purchase up to 52% more than other shoppers," said Knoll. "When shoppers have containers to return they tend to go to their local store with the best return solution: Up to 22% of consumers are willing to change where they shop if they find a store with a better container return solution." Despite having launched the pilot program only recently, both Tomra of North America and Albertsons are already planning the expansion of the program, with an objective to have machines installed in app. 30 more stores by the end of the year. All machines will be launched under Albertsons’ environmental stewardship brand initiative, ValuEarth™.

The UNO machines come equipped with technology to allow TOMRA to access them remotely for repairs and preventative maintenance. In the event of a machine issue, the machines automatically send e-mail notifications for service. TOMRA's patented recognition technology provides video recognition of inserted items, ensuring correct deposit refunds, the best protection against fraud.

TOMRA created the world’s first automated bottle return machine in 1972.  Since then, the company has installed nearly 65,000 recycling systems worldwide.  Today, TOMRA collects more than 30 billion used beverage containers through its sophisticated recycling machines, which is equivalent to approximately three percent of the world’s consumption.

About Tomra of North America
Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Asker, Norway, TOMRA is a global leader in helping the world to recycle and reuse its valuable natural resources.  With operations in nearly 50 countries, TOMRA provides end-to-end recycling solutions including automated recycling machines for empty beverage containers; pickup, transportation and processing services; and waste sorting and compaction equipment sales. TOMRA started operations in North America in 1985 and today represents nearly 40% of total global revenue. Tomra of North America is headquartered in Shelton, CT. For more information, visit www.tomra.com  or call 00-1 203-447-8779 .

About Albertsons
Albertsons was founded in 1939 and currently operates 508 Albertsons and Lucky supermarkets in Idaho, Montana, Southern California, Southern Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.  Albertsons is part of the SUPERVALU family, which is one of the largest companies in the United States’ grocery channel, with estimated annual sales of approximately $45 billion.  SUPERVALU holds leading market share positions across the U.S. with its approximately 2,500 retail grocery locations, including nearly 920 in-store pharmacies.  Through SUPERVALU’s nationwide supply chain network, the company provides distribution and related logistics support services to more than 5,000 grocery endpoints across the country.  SUPERVALU currently has approximately 190,000 employees.  Fore more information about Albertsons, please visit our Website at www.albertsons.com.

Media Contact:
Chris Faust
FastLane on behalf of TOMRA
00-1 973-226-4379
cfaust@fast-lane.net