Method and System for Encouraging Reuse and Recycling of Shopping Bags

• US 20070100694A1
• Filed: 10/17/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Constance Kopps
• Original Assignee: Constance Kopps
• Inventors: Kopps, Constance
• Application Number:
  US11/550,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20070100694A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.310
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0231 Awarding of a frequent usage incentive independent of the monetary value of a good or service purchased, or distance travelled

Abstract

A method of encouraging the reuse or shopping bags by the inclusion of a tracking symbol on the shopping bag and recording when the shopping bag is reused to carry away purchased items from a store. Rewards may be provided based on if and/or the number of times that the shopping bag is reused. Rewards may also be provided to encourage recycling of the shopping bag. A system for encouraging the reuse or recycling of shopping bags.

Claims

1. A method of encouraging reuse of shopping bags, the method including:

providing a shopping bag with a unique tracking symbol attached to the shopping bag;

giving a person the shopping bag and recording the unique tracking symbol of the bag;

recording any time that the shopping bag is brought to a participating store and is used to carry away any items purchased;

when the bag has been used a number of times, giving the person using the bag a reward.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the shopping bag is made of a durable washable material.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the shopping bag is made of a woven material.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the shopping bag is made of a non-woven material.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking symbol on the bag is a unique numerical identifier.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking symbol on the bag is a barcode.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking symbol is embroidered on the bag.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking symbol is printed on the bag.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking symbol is embossed on the shopping bag.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the person using the shopping bag when the reward is given receives a token for use in a game with each use of the shopping bag.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking symbol on the shopping bag is a game token and the shopping bag must be used to carry away purchased items for the person using the bag to use the token in a game with which the token is associated.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking symbol is related to special pricing offers on merchandise at the store that can only be claimed by a person using the bag to carry away purchased items.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking symbol can be read remotely when the shopping bag is used to carry away purchased items.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the person receives the shopping bag at a first store and is only rewarded for use of the shopping bag at the first store.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the person receives the shopping bag at a first store and is rewarded for using the shopping bag at a plurality of stores associated with the first store.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the person receives the shopping bag from an organization and receives a reward for using the shopping bag at a plurality of stores associated with the organization.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising giving a reward to a person returning the shopping bag to a participating store for recycling after the bag is no longer usable to carry away purchased items.

18. A system for encouraging the reuse of a shopping bag, the system comprising:

a shopping bag made of a material suitable for a plurality of uses to carry away purchased items from a store, the shopping bag including a tracking symbol;

means for recording the tracking symbol of the shopping bag when the bag is initially used to carry away purchased items from a store;

means for recording the tracking symbol of the shopping bag when the shopping bag is reused to carry away purchased items from a store; and

,

means for providing a reward to a person reusing the shopping bag to carry away purchased items from a store.

19. The system of claim 19, wherein the means for providing a reward provides a discount on items purchased at the store when the shopping bag is reused.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the means for providing a reward provides a game token when the shopping bag is reused.