Istanbul’s Stray-Feeding Vending Machines: Recycle a Bottle, Feed a Dog

In cities like Istanbul, ingenious machines known as “mamamatiks” or Smart Recycling Boxes by Turkish startup Pugedon are turning litter into literal life‑savers. When someone deposits an empty plastic bottle (or even a can) into the machine’s top slot, it triggers a portion of dry food to drop into a dish below—accessible to stray dogs (and sometimes cats). Many of these units also include a separate slot to pour leftover water into a bowl, helping hydrate animals in need. Funded by the recycled material’s value, the machines operate at no cost to the city—merging eco‑awareness with compassion in a single gesture.

Installed in parks and busy public spaces, Pugedon has placed over 50 of these machines across Istanbul alone, with dozens more throughout Turkey. Stray animals have even learned to congregate near the devices when hungry or thirsty, while locals enjoy taking part in a simple, kind act that also promotes recycling. The initiative has drawn international attention as a model of social design: combining urban waste management with sustainable animal welfare, all powered in part by solar technology and community participation.