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minidim
Deposit Management Technologies
A counting, verification and crushing unit for manual return points
A compact unit on wheels that lets the same vehicle carry 5 times more packaging, at roughly a quarter of the cost and volume of a DİM.
Context
The DOA system is growing fast, and return point capacity has to keep up.
81 provinces
DOA launched across Türkiye on 1 July 2026
MİN
Grocers, kiosks and small markets need to join as return points: returns belong where people go every day
10,000
DİM target for end of 2027: a self-service machine does not fit every location
40,000+
Handheld terminal target for end of 2027: four times as many manual return points as DİMs
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.
- 01
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.
- 02
Trips
Every load goes to a Counting and Verification Centre (SDM). An average 40 km route means many trips, plus fuel and energy use.
- 03
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.
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.
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
Technical specifications
Compact body, full function.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| 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.
| 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 |
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.
Logistics and carbon gains
Transport load drops by 80% for every million items.
67
fewer trips
from 83 to 17
5,333
fewer km driven
from 6,667 to 1,333
533 L
less diesel
from 667 to 133
1.43 t
less CO₂
from 1.79 t to 0.36 t
Calculated with the assumptions below for transporting 1 million items from a MİN to an SDM. Driver hours, vehicle wear and counting workload at the SDM fall by the same ratio, but are not included in this calculation.
Calculation assumptions
The logistics and carbon figures rest on these assumptions.
| Assumption | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Distance between MİN and SDM | 40 km (80 km round trip) | Average assumption |
| Vehicle | Fiat Ducato, 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 | 12,000 items | Limited by volume |
| Load per trip, with minidim | 60,000 items (5×) | About 1.2 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.
Scale scenario
10,000 minidim units save about 5,200 tonnes of CO₂ a year.
| Annual gain | Value |
|---|---|
| Items processed | 3.65 billion |
| Trips avoided | ~243,000 |
| Distance avoided | ~19.5 million km |
| Diesel saved | ~1.95 million L |
| Emissions avoided | ~5,220 t CO₂ |
Scenario: one minidim at each of 10,000 MİNs, each handling an average of 1,000 items a day, 365 days a year. All other values are as in the assumptions. This is a worked example, not a forecast.
Where it fits
Fits grocers, kiosks and small markets.
Small footprint
1 m tall, it fits next to the counter.
Moves around
On its wheels, it can be brought forward at busy hours.
Stays tidy
A closed container instead of a pile of bags.
Builds trust
Customers see their packaging being counted and crushed.
Stakeholders
A distinct gain for every link in the system.
- 01
System
Counting and clearing happen at the source, SDM capacity needs fall and the system’s carbon footprint drops.
- 02
Field operator
The same vehicle carries 5 times more packaging, cutting trips, fuel and driver hours.
- 03
Return point
Less storage space, a tidier return corner and faster transactions.
- 04
Investor
Equipment that scales to tens of thousands of MİNs at about a quarter of the cost of a DİM.
Would you like to know more?
Get in touch with questions about products, partnerships and installation.
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