Olyns is announcing a collaboration with Mars-Wrigley to gamify recycling and provide access for consumers to recycle rigid plastic candy and gum containers. The program is running at select retailers in the San Francisco Bay area.
Beginning this week, individuals in Northern California who deposit qualifying candy containers in an Olyns reverse vending machine will have a chance to win money in rewards in a game-like system.“Currently, there is no convenient way for people to recycle rigid plastic candy and gum containers. The goal of our collaboration with Mars-Wrigley is to increase the recycling of small rigid plastic containers, high-density PP and PP,” an Olyns spokesperson tells PackagingInsights.
“There is currently no reliable way to recycle rigid plastic candy and gum containers. Many rigid plastic candy and gum containers are put directly into the trash or landfill. Those that are put into recycling may quite literally ‘slip through the cracks’ of traditional processor equipment because they are too small and end up in landfill as well.”
“There is no financial incentive to recycle this container (no deposit or ‘bottle bill’ system). We believe our cash rewards and other incentives, such as virtual badges, will incentivize people to recycle rigid plastic candy and gum containers,” they add.
Expansion potential
The Sweet Rewards Challenge will run at select retailers in the San Francisco Bay Area for a limited time beginning October 25 2022.
“The initial Bay Area pilot is scheduled for six months. If successful, it may be extended and expanded across the US,” asserts the spokesperson.
Packaging waste is a challenge that requires new and innovative solutions. “At Mars, we’re committed to contributing to a circular plastics economy where no packaging becomes waste,” says Justin Comes, vice president of R&D at Mars Wrigley North America.
“Rigid plastic containers, like those used for gum and candy, may slip through the cracks of traditional recycling systems because they’re just too small. And because states don’t offer redemption value, there is limited incentive to recycle them,” adds Philip Stanger, co-founder and CEO at Olyns.
Increasing recycling frequencies
Olyns says they are changing the concept by combining convenient recycling with the potential to win rewards. “Every time you deposit a candy container in one of our RVM Cubes, you’ll earn points and a chance to win. We’ve set it up like a slot machine, but instead of inserting a coin to play, you deposit an empty candy container.” Packaging Insights - link - Natalie Schwertheim - link - more like this (packaging) - link - more like this (San Francisco) - link
The Sweet Rewards Challenge will run at select retailers in the San Francisco Bay Area for a limited time beginning October 25 2022.
“The initial Bay Area pilot is scheduled for six months. If successful, it may be extended and expanded across the US,” asserts the spokesperson.
Packaging waste is a challenge that requires new and innovative solutions. “At Mars, we’re committed to contributing to a circular plastics economy where no packaging becomes waste,” says Justin Comes, vice president of R&D at Mars Wrigley North America.
“Rigid plastic containers, like those used for gum and candy, may slip through the cracks of traditional recycling systems because they’re just too small. And because states don’t offer redemption value, there is limited incentive to recycle them,” adds Philip Stanger, co-founder and CEO at Olyns.
Increasing recycling frequencies
Olyns says they are changing the concept by combining convenient recycling with the potential to win rewards. “Every time you deposit a candy container in one of our RVM Cubes, you’ll earn points and a chance to win. We’ve set it up like a slot machine, but instead of inserting a coin to play, you deposit an empty candy container.” Packaging Insights - link - Natalie Schwertheim - link - more like this (packaging) - link - more like this (San Francisco) - link
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