I’m not a great lover of loyalty programs myself – especially the increasing number that masquerade as environmental – however I came across a great company today called RecycleBank and I thought I’d share it with you.
RecycleBank is a Philadelphia-based start-up that runs incentive-based recycling programs. What interested me, however, is that they have managed to secure a huge amount of Series B funding – around $30 million to be exact and that tells me the idea is not only a good one, but that it has the backing of the municipalities and recyclers – which will only prove to further cement this vital practice into our everyday lives.
The principle is very simple – RecycleBank is trying to revitalize municipal recycling by enticing consumers to take part – the more a customer recycles, the more “RecycleBank Dollars” he or she earns, which can then be redeemed for discounts at over 1,200 local and national participating businesses.
Sounds great, but how does it work?
Well – first of all you create your online RecycleBank account. If you live in a supported area, you will then be supplied with a special recycling bin (complete with a unique RFID tag built in). It’s then up to you to recycle as much as you possibly can each week – all your glass, paper, metal, plastic and cardboard – the usual suspects. The recycling trucks then identify each container (and it’s owner) and weigh the contents. The more you recycle, the more credit your household gets! How brilliantly simple is that? You can then track and manage your account via the website.
The program is hot off the press and therefore not US-wide yet, but be sure to sign-up wherever you live. I did. The more interest they get, the more power to their elbow in persuading your local municipality to do the same thing. So far, you can find the service in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Delaware, Virginia, Kansas, Texas, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota, Nebraska and New Mexico.
So, before we go – here’s a great little video that shows you how the recycling process works. It’s fabulously done and I encourage you to show your kids, too!
11 responses so far ↓
1 hyperlocavore // Feb 12, 2009 at 12:34 pm
It would be nice if the rewards were restricted to non-material things that don’t create a lot of waste…Itunes or something!
Thanks for the post!
2 lorraine // Feb 12, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Hi there!
I agree wholeheartedly with that! However, I guess to entice the general populous to change their habits and who may simply be doing it to ‘get free stuff’ then we have to start this way??
3 hyperlocavore // Feb 12, 2009 at 1:00 pm
A night at the movies is about 100 bucks for a family of four…I think there are a lot of ways around it that would still be enticing to the average consumer. If we just encourage them to buy more stuff…we aren’t really changing any ones habits. Some cities charge customer per can and limit pickups so folks end up adjuting on their own to avoid costs. That’s another way to incentivize without creating more of the problem we are trying to correct….Just my 2 cents.
Keep up the good bloggin!
4 lorraine // Feb 12, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Excellent!
5 lorraine // Feb 12, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Hi there
I LOVE http://www.hyperlocavore.com!!! OMG. This is superb! What a great concept. I have some land but completely lack greenfingers (I am still pontificating over my last batch of Brussels Sprouts!) I will gladly offer up space in my yard for a green god/goddess to come and tend fruits and veggies!!
Well done!!
6 hyperlocavore // Feb 12, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Thanks so much! I’m pretty excited about it. I only started a few weeks ago. I’m so glad you joined us! I’ve left a note for you over there!
Spread the word in your area, the site works best when we reach critical mass!
Take care and keep diggin!
LizM
7 lorraine // Feb 12, 2009 at 2:25 pm
So – even though I am completely horticulturally challenged am I going to create my Walnut Creek group and recruit my green-fingered friends to join!
8 AgnesW // Feb 12, 2009 at 3:12 pm
A gal in my area has started a freecycle program. Instead of throwing away stuff that you no longer want, you offer it to someone else. Daily emails are sent to notify members of new items. You can also place a request for something you need. Its a great way to reduce and reuse.
9 lorraine // Feb 12, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Hi Agnes!
Yep – I’ve heard of that program and I think it’s great. We all have way too much ’stuff’. I just got rid of a car (and saved some carbon) on Monday and I have no intention of replacing it (although Freecycle probably wouldn’t have been good for that transaction!)
10 hyperlocavore - liz mclellan // Feb 13, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Other sites like freecycle are:
reyooz.com
thinggo.com
and the free section on any craigslist!
11 Going Green // Feb 15, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Way to go! Now if we could just get it to every city…
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