Abstract
Abstract This study aimed to conduct a systems engineering investigation for the integration of reverse vending machines (RVM) into the waste management system of Kazakhstan. By conducting a wide-scale survey among the general public, the study was able to identify the underlining reasons for low recycling rate, the awareness and willingness of the public to engage with RVMs, and incentives that would motivate them. Survey results also allowed identifying the customer (user) requirements and helped to design the house of quality (HoQ) for further evaluation of potential RVM functionality. The proposed system model and functional flow block diagram (FFBD) were developed for an RVM considering identified customer requirements. Finally, risk analysis of RVM integration to the waste management system was carried out, and mitigation measures were proposed.