Recycling machine provides food for stray animals

This recycling machine is helping stray animals

Donated plastic is used as currency

in exchange for food for street cats and dogs

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) FOUNDER OF 'YAPOMOGA' VENDING MACHINE, RUFAT RAIMOV, SAYING: "It is a real new way of life for children. The next generation is growing and their parents explain it to them and give them an opportunity to use this machine. We have regular customers. They tell us: 'It is our ritual.' A kid collects bottles and then comes up to the parents saying: 'Let's go and feed the animals.' To raise a socially responsible generation is our main advantage."

One plastic bottle equals nearly an ounce of food

Over 300 lbs of plastic was collected in the first two weeks