SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING AN INCENTIVE-BASED RECYCLING PROGRAM

• US 20090138358A1
• Filed: 01/15/2009
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RTS Recyclebank LLC
• Original Assignee: RTS Recyclebank LLC
• Inventors: Ivers, Morley, Gonen, Ron
• Granted Patent: US 10,445,756 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.540
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• 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 30/0256 User search

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and method for managing an incentive-based recycling program. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to managing an incentive-based recycling program through administering a dynamic customer loyalty rewards program associated therewith. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of managing an incentive-based recycling system comprises inputting customer data into a collective database, and generating a customer account, inputting hauler data into the collective database, and generating a hauler account, inputting vendor data into the collective database, and generating a vendor account, recording a recycling activity associated with a customer account on the collective database, allocating credits to a customer account, in an amount correlating to the recycling activity associated with the customer account, on the collective database, and enabling the customer to manage the credits associated with the customer account.

Claims

1. A method of managing an incentive-based recycling system comprising:

inputting customer data into a collective database, and generating a customer account;

inputting hauler data into the collective database, and generating a hauler account;

inputting vendor data into the collective database, and generating a vendor account;

recording a recycling activity associated with a customer account on the collective database;

allocating credits to a customer account, in an amount correlating to the recycling activity associated with the customer account, on the collective database; and

enabling the customer to manage the credits associated with the customer account.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a customer account comprises pairing a system-provided unique identifier to the customer data.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the system-provided unique identifier is an alphanumeric code positioned on a recycling bin, a key fob, or an access card.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the recycling activity comprises at least one of providing a plurality of recyclable materials for collection, engaging in an environmentally-conscious activity, or utilizing a service pre-designated as an acceptable recycling activity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein allocating credits to a customer account, in an amount correlating to the recycling activity associated with the customer account, comprises:

measuring a quantity of recyclable materials collected from the customer;

applying a predetermined algorithm to the quantity of recyclable materials;

converting the results of the predetermined algorithm into a credit value; and

associating the credit value with the customer account.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein enabling the customer to manage the credits associated with the customer account comprises:

providing access to information stored on the collected database pertaining to the customer account, including credits associated with the customer account; and

enabling the customer to engage at least one of;

redeem credits at a third party vendor, participate in an auction event with the credits, participate in a sweepstakes event to gain more credits, donate credits to a charitable, educational or non-profit organization, transfer credits to another customer, or purchase additional credits from an administrator.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein redeeming credits at the third party vendor comprises applying credits as a vender-determined value towards a purchase with the vendor.

4. The method of claim 4, wherein the system-provided unique identifier is electronically stored within an RFID tag or a barcode on the outside of a recycling bin.

9. A tangible computer readable medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

inputting customer data into a collective database, and generating a customer account;

inputting hauler data into the collective database, and generating a hauler account;

inputting vendor data into the collective database, and generating a vendor account;

recording a recycling activity associated with a customer account on the collective database;

allocating credits to a customer account, in an amount correlating to the recycling activity associated with the customer account, on the collective database; and

enabling the customer to manage the credits associated with the customer account.

10. The tangible computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein generating a customer account comprises pairing a system-provided unique identifier to the customer data.

11. The tangible computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the recycling activity comprises at least one of providing a plurality of recyclable materials for collection, engaging in an environmentally-conscious activity, or utilizing a service pre-designated as an acceptable recycling activity.

12. The tangible computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein allocating credits to a customer account, in an amount correlating to the recycling activity associated with the customer account, comprises:

measuring a quantity of recyclable materials collected from the customer;

applying a predetermined algorithm to the quantity of recyclable materials;

converting the results of the predetermined algorithm into a credit value; and

associating the credit value with the customer account.

13. The tangible computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein enabling the customer to manage the credits associated with the customer account comprises:

providing access to information stored on the collected database pertaining to the customer account, including credits associated with the customer account; and

enabling the customer to engage at least one of;

redeem credits at a third party vendor, participate in an auction event with the credits, participate in a sweepstakes event to gain more credits, donate credits to a charitable, educational or non-profit organization, transfer credits to another customer, or purchase additional credits from an administrator.

14. The tangible computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein redeeming credits at the third party vendor comprises applying credits as a vender-determined value towards a purchase with the vendor.

15. An incentive-based recycling system comprising:

a server accessible via a global computer network comprising a tangible computer readable medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement;

inputting customer data into a collective database, and generating a customer account;

inputting hauler data into the collective database, and generating a hauler account;

inputting vendor data into the collective database, and generating a vendor account;

recording a recycling activity associated with a customer account on the collective database;

allocating credits to a customer account, in an amount correlating to the recycling activity associated with the customer account, on the collective database; and

enabling the customer to manage the credits associated with the customer account.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein generating a customer account comprises pairing a system-provided unique identifier to the customer data.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the recycling activity comprises at least one of providing a plurality of recyclable materials for collection, engaging in an environmentally-conscious activity, or utilizing a service pre-designated as an acceptable recycling activity.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein allocating credits to a customer account, in an amount correlating to the recycling activity associated with the customer account, comprises:

measuring a quantity of recyclable materials collected from the customer;

applying a predetermined algorithm to the quantity of recyclable materials;

converting the results of the predetermined algorithm into a credit value; and

associating the credit value with the customer account.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein enabling the customer to manage the credits associated with the customer account comprises:

providing access to information stored on the collected database pertaining to the customer account, including credits associated with the customer account; and

enabling the customer to engage at least one of;

redeem credits at a third party vendor, participate in an auction event with the credits, participate in a sweepstakes event to gain more credits, donate credits to a charitable, educational or non-profit organization, transfer credits to another customer, or purchase additional credits from an administrator.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein redeeming credits at the third party vendor comprises applying credits as a vender-determined value towards a purchase with the vendor.