COMMUNITY-BASED RECYCLING SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREOF

• US 20090024479A1
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: RTS Recyclebank LLC
• Original Assignee: RecycleBank LLC (RecycleRewards, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lamb, Scott, Milligan, Bob, Gonen, Ron, Yang, Frank C.
• Application Number:
  US12/200,527
• Publication Number:
  US 20090024479A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.100
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1484 relating to the adaptation of receptacles to carry identification means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a community-based recycling system and methods of utilizing same. In one embodiment of the present invention, a community-based recycling system comprises a first entity, providing recyclable material, a second entity, providing recyclable material, a load determining device for obtaining a qualitative or quantitative measurement of the recyclable material accumulated from both the first entity and the second entity, and a reward granted equally to each of the first entity and the second entity, wherein the reward corresponds to a value generated from the measurement of the recyclable material.

Claims

1. A community-based recycling system comprising:

a first entity, providing recyclable material;

a second entity, providing recyclable material;

a load determining device for obtaining a qualitative or quantitative measurement of the recyclable material accumulated from both the first entity and the second entity; and

a reward granted equally to each of the first entity and the second entity;

wherein the reward corresponds to a value generated from the measurement of the recyclable material.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an identification means for obtaining information of both the first entity and the second entity.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the identification means further comprises an RFID tag and reader assembly.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first entity comprises a recycling container having an identification tag, and wherein the recyclable material is provided within the recycling container.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a computer network operable to transfer data from the load determining device to a central database.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the load determining device is positioned on a collection vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the qualitative or quantitative measurement of the recyclable material comprises at least one of a weight, volume, density, quality, or composition.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first entity and the second entity each provide the respective recyclable materials to a community container.

9. A recycling system comprising:

a first entity, providing a quantity of recyclable materials;

a second entity, providing a quantity of recyclable materials;

a community container for supporting a quantity of recyclable materials received from the first and second entities;

a collection vehicle for collecting recyclable materials from the first and second entities, comprising a load determining device for obtaining at least a weight or volume of the recyclable materials, and an identification means; and

a reward granted equally to each of the first entity and the second entity;

wherein the reward corresponds to a value generated from the weight or volume of the recyclable material.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the identification means further comprises an RFID tag and reader assembly.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the RFID tag is positioned on the community container, and wherein the RFID reader is positioned on the collection vehicle.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a computer network operable to transfer data from at least one of the load determining device or identification means to a central database.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the reward is granted to a respective account associated with each of the first and second entities, stored on the central database.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the respective rewards are redeemable by the first and second entities by accessing the respective accounts on the central database via the communication network.

15. A community-based method of recycling comprising:

collecting recyclable material from an identifiable first entity;

collecting recyclable material from an identifiable second entity;

obtaining a qualitative or quantitative measurement of cumulative recyclable materials collected from both the first and second entities;

calculating a value associated with the qualitative or quantitative measurement of cumulative recyclable materials; and

granting a reward to the first and second entities based on the value.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first entity is identifiable via an RFID tag on a recycling container.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising dispatching a collection vehicle on a predetermined route.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising transferring data associated with the qualitative or quantitative measurement of cumulative recyclable materials to a central database.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein granting the reward to the first and second entities comprises crediting respective accounts associated with each of the first and second entities, stored on a central database.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing a means for redeeming the respective rewards by the first and second entities by accessing the respective accounts on the central database via the communication network.