Method and system for improving recycling through the use of financial incentives

• US 20060178933A1
• Filed: 02/02/2006
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RTS Recyclebank LLC
• Original Assignee: RecycleBank LLC (RecycleRewards, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gonen, Ron, FitzGerald, Patrick K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,949,557 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.350
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/26 Debit schemes, e.g. "pay now"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0208 Trade or exchange of goods or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0235 constrained by time limit or expiration date
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0609 by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for improving recycling and participation rates by providing financial incentives to households engaged in recycling. Certain embodiments of the invention relate to reduction of costs associated with waste collection and the enhancement of collection efficiency. Other embodiments of the invention relate to opening a marketing channel for participating retailers to build value from responsible corporate citizenship.

Claims

1. A recycling method, comprising:

a. providing an entity with a receptacle for recyclable materials, said receptacle containing a source identification;

b. reading the source identification of the receptacle at the time of collection of the recyclable materials in the receptacle;

c. determining the quantity of the recyclable materials in the receptacle at the time of collection;

d. recording the recycling event and the quantity of the recyclable materials for the source identification at the time of collection, and creating a record;

e. accepting the recyclable materials for recycling;

f. translating the record of the recycling event and the quantity recycled into a credit associated with the source identification and the entity;

g. enabling the entity to redeem the credit in exchange for a reward that can be used at participating retailers for goods, services, coupons for goods or services, or other economic benefit.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the source identification is an optically readable bar code.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the source identification is a radio frequency transponder.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the source identification is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the source identification is provided as a geographic identification code.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the quantity of the recyclable materials in the receptacle is determined by weighing the receptacle prior to accepting the recyclable materials for recycling, and subtracting the weight of the empty receptacle.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the quantity of the recyclable materials in the receptacle is determined by measuring the volume of the contents of the receptacle.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the credit is dependent on the recycling event and on the quantity of recyclable materials in the receptacle.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the record of the recycling event and the quantity of the recyclable materials for the source identification at the time of collection is collected by an on-board computer on the recycling pickup vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the record of the recycling event and the quantity of the recyclable materials for the source identification at the time of collection is collected by a hand-held computer.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the entity can redeem the credit over a computer network such as the Internet.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the entity can redeem the credit by mail.

13. A recycling system, comprising:

a. a receptacle for recyclable materials, said receptacle containing a source identification to associate the receptacle to an entity;

b. a recycling pickup vehicle having a bulk material storage portion, and means to transfer the recyclable materials in the receptacle to the bulk material storage portion;

c. means to read the source identification of the receptacle at the time of collection of the recyclable materials in the receptacle;

d. weighing means on the recycling pickup vehicle to determine the quantity of the recyclable materials in the receptacle at the time of collection;

e. means to record the collection of the recyclable materials in the receptacle and the quantity of the recyclable materials for the source identification at the time of collection;

f. a database for storing the weight of the recyclable materials in the receptacle at the time of collection in association with the source identification for the receptacle; and

g. a communication system for externally communicating data stored in said database to a recycling information management system.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said communication system is a wireless radio frequency communications system.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein said weighing means determines a fill weight and a tare weight of the receptacle.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the source identification is an optically readable bar code.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein the source identification is a radio frequency transponder.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein the source identification is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

19. The system according to claim 13, wherein the source identification is provided as a geographic identification code.

20. A recycling information management system, comprising:

a. an input for receiving information from a recycling pickup vehicle comprising sets of source identifications and associated recycled quantities;

b. a first data type module adapted to receive first data items relating to the source identifications and associated recycled quantities;

c. a second data type module adapted to receive second data items relating to participating retailers and the recycling incentives offered by said participating retailers;

d. a third data type module adapted to receive third data items relating to first credit amounts that correspond with the recycling incentives offered by said participating retailers;

e. a fourth data type module that translates the first data items into second credit amounts;

f. a database adapted to communicate with said first data type module and said second data type module and said third data type module and said fourth data type module and to store said first data items, said second data items, said third data items and said fourth data items;

g. a first user interface that allows an entity to access said database and exchange said second credit amounts for said first credit amounts that correspond with the recycling incentives offered by said participating retailers; and

h. a second user interface that allows said entity to receive said first credit amounts that correspond with the recycling incentives offered by said participating retailers.

21. The recycling information management system according to claim 20, wherein the second user interface consists of fulfillment means that allow the entity to receive said recycling incentive by electronic mail.

22. The recycling information management system according to claim 20, wherein the second user interface consists of fulfillment means that allow the entity to receive said recycling incentive by mail.

23. The recycling information management system according to claim 20, wherein said database can be queried to produce reports reflecting the recycling patterns of one or more respective source identifications over a given period of time.

24. The recycling information management system according to claim 20, wherein said database can be queried to produce reports reflecting the recycling statistics for one or more recycling pickup vehicles.

25. The recycling information management system according to claim 20, wherein said database can be queried to produce reports reflecting the recycling rates of respective source identifications in a given geographic area, in order to predict an optimal recycling pickup vehicle route.

26. The recycling information management system according to claim 20, wherein said database can be queried to produce reports reflecting the recycling patterns of one or more respective source identifications over a given period of time, in order to determine whether a respective source recycles more or less when provided a particular recycling incentive.