At IFAT Munich 2026, Smart DRS presented its Smart Collection Points as an innovative solution for modern packaging return systems, designed to make collection more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly. As the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies, IFAT Munich brought together around 3,400 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions, approximately 142,000 visitors from 160 countries and regions, 300,000 m² of exhibition space, and 461 presentations and panels, confirming its role as a key meeting point for the global water, sewage, waste, recycling, and circularity sectors.
Throughout the event, visitors came to our stand to actively try our Smart Collection Points and experience how the technology works in practice. The demonstrations showed how packaging can be returned quickly and conveniently, both for single-use packaging and reusable packaging. By combining an intuitive user experience with smart automation, our solution supports more flexible collection models and helps make participation in circular systems easier for citizens, retailers or operators.
Smart Collection Points were also recently deployed at the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship, where the automated Smart DRS return system enabled over 44,300 cup returns during the tournament and significantly helped reduce waste.
One of the highlights of our IFAT Munich 2026 presence was the participation of our colleague Peter Knaz in the Orange Stage panel session “AI & Robotics for Next-Gen Waste and Resource Management.” The session explored how AI and robotics are reshaping waste management, from collection optimisation and intelligent sorting to data-driven infrastructure and system-wide transformation.
Waste management is a critical lever for the circular economy, and while AI and robotics offer powerful tools for the sector, scaling them successfully requires addressing technical, policy, and social challenges. Peter contributed Sensoneo’s perspective on how innovation and AI in our industry can move from pilot projects to real infrastructure and help transform the future of resource management.
IFAT Munich 2026 once again demonstrated that the future of environmental technology is increasingly digital, connected, and circular. For Smart DRS, the event was an excellent opportunity to show how smart packaging collection can support more efficient deposit return systems, reusable packaging schemes, and broader circular economy ambitions across Europe and beyond.
