The size of today’s challenge

Single-use plastic creates overwhelming amounts of waste, as manufacturers produce more than 400 million tonnes each year. From this total 40% gets thrown away after one use. About 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in ocean waters annually, which harms sea creatures and their habitats. At the current rate of disposal, plastic materials in oceans will outweigh fish by 2050.

Single-use plastics create financial burdens plus risks to human wellness. Governments spend billions on waste management and cleanup, while microplastics infiltrate our food, water, and even the air we breathe. Society needs to switch from throwaway items to permanent containers without delay.

RFID in smart waste bins and recycling management

In Amsterdam and Barcelona, bins equipped with RFID technology record how people throw things away and help create better pickup routes that reduce pollution. The authorities in South Korea put RFID markers on food waste containers to make people pay according to how much food they discard, which leads them to throw away less.

Reusable packaging & reverse logistics

RFID technology continues to spread through packaging sectors, especially in product movement tracking. Large companies like CHEP and IFCO now put RFID tags on their returnable boxes and platforms, which helps get items back and prevents losses.

Reportedly, on Danish streets, machines with RFID readers get back 88 out of 100 cups. In British locations, Cuploop’s RFID enabled return kiosks receive 96 out of 100 cups – this beats manual collection methods by a large margin.

Return stations with RFID sensors accept containers, after which they are cleaned, and then put back into use, which cuts down on throwaway items. Such examples point out that better methods exist than single-use.

Product lifecycle management and extended producer responsibility (EPR)

RFID technology lets companies monitor their products from creation to disposal. For example Dell places RFID chips inside laptop parts to observe materials, which simplifies the collection and reuse of components during refurbishment. In response to the European Union’s EPR rules, industries such as battery producers now add tracking systems to meet recycling requirements and follow sustainability guidelines.

Textile and fashion industry

The fashion sector turns to RFID for extended product use and reduced waste. Through RFID-based digital tags in clothes, H&M and Zalando provide details about fabric content and washing methods, which leads to better resale and recycling processes. The second hand clothing market also benefits from this technology, as platforms like Trove use RFID to verify items and manage product counts in their rental and resale operations.

Food waste reduction and supply chain visibility

RFID technology helps retailers cut food waste through expiration date monitoring. The system notifies employees about products close to expiring, which cuts back waste in grocery stores. Walmart tracks shipment temperatures with RFID, keeping perishables at proper temperatures to prevent spoilage. Companies like Too Good To Go team up with markets to find and save extra food through RFID tracking.

Construction and materials reuse management

In construction, RFID brings sustainability through better material handling. The technology finds materials at quick speeds with precision between one to several meters. On its sites, Skanska tracks rented equipment through RFID to use resources better and cut extra production. The company reports that RFID gives them exact counts of people entering and leaving work areas with speed and precision.

What comes next

As RFID joins with IoT and blockchain systems, reuse programs become more precise and clear. This mix of technologies leads to better choices by leaders and more teamwork between package makers, stores, along with cities. Despite setup costs, technical integration hurdles, and data security needs, the benefits make it valuable. Through improved delivery systems, less waste along with better customer involvement, RFID advances the reuse of materials.

Conclusion

The transition from single-use to reusable packaging is an environmental, economic and social necessity. The use of RFID technology offers a route to reuse systems that are much more efficient, transparent, and scalable, fuelling Europe’s sustainability targets and contributing to a resilient and circular economy. As pilot initiatives develop and technology matures, RFID’s integration with complementary systems is likely to make it a cornerstone of sustainable packaging practices along the continent.

Would you like to discuss how Cuploop can integrate into your business? Book a quick demo with Kristi!

What’s Mugshot?

Mugshot is part of VeBetter, a platform designed to make sustainable choices rewarding. It runs on B3TR, a new cryptocurrency with real-world value. The idea is simple: choose a reusable mug, snap a quick pic, and earn rewards. Small habit, big impact.

Cuploop x Mugshot: How It Works

Soon, Cuploop users will be able to earn crypto simply by returning their reusable cups at Cuploop kiosks. Here’s how it will work:

1. Drink Up – Enjoy your coffee, tea, smoothie, or whatever keeps you going.
2. Snap a Pic – Before dropping your cup at a Cuploop kiosk, take a quick photo of the return kiosk welcome screen using the Mugshot app.
3. AI Does Its Thing – Mugshot verifies your return in seconds.
4. Get Paid – Earn B3TR tokens for making a sustainable choice. Simple as that.

This feature is coming soon, but you don’t have to wait. Right now, you can still earn B3TR just by snapping a pic of any reusable cup you use for coffee or tea. It takes seconds and stacks up fast.

Why This Matters

Sustainability should fit into your routine, feel second nature, and even be a little rewarding. Cuploop’s Drop, Tap, & Go model already simplifies reuse, and Mugshot’s snap & earn system aligns with our vision. By making sustainability easy and rewarding, we motivate individuals to phase out single-use plastics.

How to Get Started

Getting started is simple:

1. Open mugshot.vet on your phone.
2. Sign up – it’s quick and painless.
3. Take a picture of your reusable cup filled with a drink (or the Cuploop kiosk welcome screen).
4. Earn B3TR tokens instantly.
5. Track your impact and climb the sustainability leaderboard.

Sounds easy enough? Grab your reusable cup, start earning rewards, and help build a future with less waste.

Would you like to discuss how Cuploop can integrate into your business? Book a quick demo with Kristi!

What is Greenwashing?

Greenwashing is when companies mislead consumers into believing their products or initiatives are more environmentally friendly than they actually are. This can take many forms, such as exaggerated claims, vague sustainability messaging, or marketing gimmicks that do little to address real environmental problems. When it comes to reusable cups, the question is whether they truly reduce waste and carbon emissions or if they’re just another corporate PR stunt.

The Greenwashing Debate: Hype vs. Reality

Some critics argue that reusable cup systems are just a feel-good marketing gimmick – a way for brands to signal sustainability without making a real impact. After all, if reusable cups require washing, transportation, and infrastructure, how much better are they than single-use cups?

Let’s break it down with real numbers and case studies to separate fact from fiction.

The Shocking Environmental Cost of Single-Use Cups

Before we judge reusable cups, let’s look at the hard truth about single-use cups:

• 500 billion cups are estimated to be used globally each year – most of them plastic-lined and not recyclable. (Source: Earth Day Network)
• Producing just one paper coffee cup with a plastic lid emits 0.11 kg of CO₂ (taking into account the paper, the paper sleeve, production and shipping), meaning the average coffee drinker contributes 5 kg of CO₂ per month just from takeout coffee. (Source: Journal of Cleaner Production)
• The UK alone throws away 2.5 billion coffee cups annually, yet less than 1% are actually recycled. (Source: House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee)
• Starbucks uses more than 8,000 plastic-lined paper cups and plastic cups every minute – that’s over 4 billion per year. (Source: Starbucks Sustainability Report)

Clearly, single-use cups are an environmental disaster. But do reusable cups actually solve the problem?

How Many Uses Before a Reusable Cup Wins? (The Life-Cycle Debate)

One of the biggest arguments against reusable cups is their manufacturing footprint. Since they require more materials, energy, and water to produce, they need to be used multiple times before their environmental impact is lower than single-use cups.

Breaking Down the Numbers:

• A standard reusable plastic cup (polypropylene) needs to be used at least 20 times to break even with a disposable paper cup (source: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland). Some studies claim even 7 times.
• A stainless steel cup requires over 100 uses to offset its carbon footprint compared to single-use (source: International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment).
• Washing a reusable cup uses 0.5–1.5 liters of water per wash, but the paper industry consumes 20 times more water per cup in manufacturing (source: Water Footprint Network).

Life cycle studies take into account all aspects related to production, such as greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, resource extraction, and waste generation. Compared to single-use products, all these costs are distributed over multiple uses in the case of reusable items. For example, washing reusable products requires significantly less water than producing new single-use products, as the highest water consumption occurs during the material extraction and manufacturing stages.

Bottom Line? If a reusable cup is actually reused consistently, it beats single-use cups in both carbon emissions and resource consumption. Obviously logistics and washing play are crucial role here. After a certain distance reusable cups may start polluting more in terms of CO2 than single-use cups. So the circulation must be well optimised.

Real-Life Examples: The Good, The Bad & The Greenwashed

Success Story: Germany’s RECUP System

• Germany’s RECUP program has replaced millions of disposable coffee cups with a deposit-return system.
• Over 20,000 cafés now offer RECUP, reducing single-use cup waste by tens of millions per year.
• Customers pay a €1 deposit, return the cup at any location, and get their money back – proving that reuse works when done right.

The Failure: Seattle’s Café Reuse Program

• A Seattle-based café launched a reusable cup initiative, but it struggled due to logistical challenges and a lack of coordination with other businesses.
• Customers found it difficult to return cups conveniently, leading to low participation rates.
• Without a larger network of participating cafés and proper infrastructure, the program ultimately failed.
• Lesson? Reusable systems need widespread collaboration and convenient return points to succeed.

Greenwashing Alert: Compostable Cups

• Many brands market compostable cups as “eco-friendly,” but in reality, most end up in landfills.
• Compostable cups require industrial composting facilities, which 99% of cities lack.
• If a cup doesn’t break down naturally in your backyard, it’s not truly sustainable.

The Future of Reusable Cups: Smart Systems & Tech Innovations

For reusables to truly work, we need smart, scalable systems that make returning cups as easy as using disposables. Companies like Cuploop are solving this with automated return kiosks that:

• Use RFID technology to track reusable cups.
• Offer instant deposit refunds for seamless returns.
• Integrate into existing café, stadium, and corporate infrastructures.

With smart automation and better incentives, reusables can outcompete disposables on both convenience and sustainability.

Conclusion: Reuse Isn’t Greenwashing – But It Must Be Done Right

Are reusable cups greenwashing? Not if they’re used properly.

When designed with efficient return systems, low-energy washing, and consumer convenience in mind, reusable cups have the potential to contribute to waste reduction and lower environmental impact. However, the benefits are not automatic, and they fail when brands implement half-baked systems that consumers don’t use.

The key to success? Smart technology, incentives, and circular infrastructure.

So next time you grab a reusable cup, make sure it’s part of a real solution, not just a marketing ploy.

Would you like to discuss how Cuploop can integrate into your business? Book a quick demo with Kristi!

Why Is This Important?

Hospitals operate around the clock, with long and even 24-hour shifts being a norm for many workers. To meet their needs, the cafeteria offers food and beverages in reusable containers, making it easy for staff to grab meals on the go. Cuploop’s automated return system ensures that workers can return containers and reclaim their cashless deposits, even after the cafeteria closes. This seamless system eliminates waste while supporting staff in their busy schedules.

We are very satisfied with Cuploop’s machine at the moment, and our colleagues have embraced it nicely
– Maris Matkur, Catering Specialist at SA PERH.

A Look at the Numbers

In its first year, the Cuploop kiosk enabled the return of 238 cups and an impressive 5,166 salad bowls. Considering this is an employee-only cafeteria, these figures reflect strong engagement.

However, fewer containers were returned during the second year – 108 cups and 4,265 bowls. Interestingly, this decline signals a positive change: more employees are bringing pre-packed meals from home, which shows sustainability awareness and lifestyle adjustments among the staff.

After two successful years at PERH, we continue to provide a convenient way for employees to manage reusable packaging in their daily routines.

Would you like to discuss how Cuploop can integrate into your business? Book a quick demo with Kristi!

Reducing single-use waste and minimizing carbon emissions are critical components of the Eden Project’s sustainability goals. Reusable cups and Cuploop’s RFID-enabled Smart Return Kiosks support these goals by making reuse easy and efficient. The seamless Drop, Tap & Go return system offers instant refunds, making it simple and rewarding for visitors to participate in sustainable practices.

How Do RFID Enabled Return Kiosks Work?

Cuploop‘s kiosks streamline the process of returning reusable food containers through RFID technology. Customers pay a small deposit at the point of purchase. Each cup and container has an embedded RFID tag that is automatically scanned when placed in the kiosk’s return slot. The user can insert multiple food containers at once. The system verifies the container(s) and instantly processes a refund to the user’s bank account when they tap their card or phone, using Mastercard Send. These kiosks feature Ingenico‘s Open/2500 terminal, powered by the Switchio Pay application. This system collects real-time data on returns, which helps operators manage inventory and optimize container circulation.

Implementation

To address the challenges, Cuploop, together with a local partner, re-universe, launched project at the Eden Project in August 2024. Re-universe’s innovative digital returns platform encourages reuse through deposit and holding schemes, ensuring reusable cups remain in circulation longer. The launch was completed within four weeks of sign-off.

Results and Learnings

We achieved an impressive 96% return rate at the Eden Project.

The project uncovered issues with refunds for NatWest bank account holders. Involved parties are collaborating with Mastercard and NatWest to resolve these setbacks.

Currently, two Smart Return Kiosks are in use at the Eden Project, with plans to add more in 2025.

Conclusion

Reusable projects frequently fail to monitor their food containers, resulting in losses within the system and increased environmental impact. Real progress lies in maintaining the circulation of as many containers as possible, while providing precise data on returns, reuse, and carbon savings.

With reusable cup return rates as high as 96% at the Eden Project, Cuploop’s system significantly reduces single-use waste and supports sustainability goals. This approach not only benefits the environment but also enhances the user experience by making sustainable practices convenient and rewarding.

Would you like to discuss how Cuploop can integrate into your business? Book a quick demo with Kristi!

Smart Return Kiosks

Cuploop’s Smart Return Kiosk simplifies the return process of reusable food containers by allowing users to easily scan and return items without the need for packaging or long queues. With real-time inventory tracking and automated processes, the kiosk enhances efficiency for retailers while improving the customer experience. By streamlining returns, Cuploop helps businesses reduce waste and support sustainability initiatives, making it easier for partners and customers to engage in responsible consumption practices.

More information about the Impact Festival.

Would you like to discuss how Cuploop can integrate into your business? Book a quick demo with Kristi!

Our approach isn’t about eliminating cups entirely; instead, we aim to shift the way people think about their use. We’ve designed Smart Return Kiosks that allow individuals to return their empty cups (and other food containers) effortlessly. When they do, they receive their deposit back and, in the process, play a vital role in protecting the environment. It’s a seamless transaction that empowers users to make a positive impact while enjoying the convenience of disposable cups.

Cuploop’s Journey: Food Container Return Made Simple

Cuploop’s journey began in Estonia, where our team created the first RFID-based reverse vending machine specifically designed for food containers. These machines play a crucial role in establishing a circular economy. By enabling food containers to be used, returned, cleaned, and reused, we are significantly reducing waste.

Switchio powers payment terminals in Cuploop’s kiosks

To enhance the user experience, Cuploop’s kiosks are equipped with payment terminals powered by Switchio. Each of the kiosk features an application that seamlessly communicates with the built-in Ingenico Open 2500 terminal, utilizing the Switchio Pay application. We are currently in the process of deploying 27 reverse vending machines, each paired with its own terminal for everyday use.

A significant milestone for us is the installation of Cuploop Smart Kiosks at the Eden Project in the UK. This marks our first permanent presence in the country and the launch of a new payment solution.

Although we made our first deposit refund back in 2020, the journey has been long, filled with challenges, regulations, and the search for the right partners. We are now working with Shift4, an acquirer and payment processor, and Switchio, a gateway provider for transaction routing and payment application services. This collaboration has made our solution a reality.

Christopher Juul
CTO & Co-founder at Cuploop

How it works?

When a customer buys a drink in a reusable cup, a small deposit is added to the purchase. After enjoying their drink, they head to a Cuploop kiosk, tap their bank card on the terminal, and return the cup. The system generates a digital token, which acts as a secure alias for the user’s EMV bank card, and the deposit is refunded instantly.

No hassle, no paperwork – just a simple tap. Or as we say – Drop, Tap & Go!

We are proud to support Cuploop in bringing circular economy principles into everyday life by enabling seamless and convenient digital payments

Jakub Svec
Switchio Account Manager

The Shift to Reusable Solutions

Experts estimate that if reusable systems like ours gain traction, over a trillion single-use cups and bottles could be eliminated from circulation by 2030. Currently, only about 5% of beverage packaging is reusable, but with ongoing innovation and collaboration, we believe this could rise to 10% in just a few years. Our aim goes beyond merely recycling cups; we strive to fundamentally reshape how we perceive and manage waste.

The strength of Cuploop’s system lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. In this initiative, Switchio plays a vital role as the Payment Application provider, offering tokenization and gateway services that ensure secure and seamless transactions for our users.

Would you like to discuss how Cuploop can integrate into your business? Book a quick demo with Kristi!

This video showcases a live demonstration of how easily users can return reusable cups and receive their deposits instantly, as well as the straightforward process for operators to keep the kiosk up & running during peak periods.  Join us in making sustainability simple and efficient.

Cuploop’s “Drop, Tap & Go” is a user-friendly system designed to streamline the return of reusable cups and the instant refund of deposits. Here’s how it works:

1. Pay Deposit: When you buy a drink or food served in a reusable cup or container, a small deposit is included in your total.
2. Container Return: After enjoying your drink or food, you return the reusable container to a Cuploop kiosk.
3. Instant Refund: At the kiosk, you tap your payment card or device, and the system immediately refunds your deposit.

This system addresses the growing issue of single-use waste by incentivizing reuse. It simplifies the logistics of returning and processing reusable containers, making sustainability accessible. Businesses benefit from cost savings on disposable packaging and enhanced compliance with environmental regulations. Customers appreciate the seamless experience, fostering greater participation in reuse programs.

Main benefits:

1. Reduced labor costs by minimizing the need for personnel to handle returns and refunds
2. Easy maintenance with a quick & hassle-free kiosk emptying routine
3. Boost ESG compliance to reach sustainability goals & enhancing public image
4. Get valuable analytics on operations, consumer behavior & environmental impact
5. Customer satisfaction & loyalty due to a quick and easy cup and deposit return process

Would you like to discuss how Cuploop can integrate into your business? Book a quick demo with Kristi!

Estonian startup Cuploop, which uses innovative reverse vending machines and RFID technology to reduce plastic waste, gets €2M investment.

In a world where environmental concerns are urgently rising, finding sustainable solutions to everyday challenges is essential. Cuploop, an Estonian startup founded in 2018, do this via reusable packaging. With their innovative reverse vending machines, Cuploop aims to make recycling and reusing as effortless as throwing things away, all with the help of cutting-edge RFID tags.

It has now secured a €2 million investment. The funding was led by SmartCap Green Fund, a syndicate of angel investors from EstBAN, and Danish advisory and investment company Footprint Firm. Cuploop was advised by Sorainen on all legal issues related to the fundraising process.

The birth of a green vision

The story of Cuploop begins with three environmentally conscious founders: Christopher Juul, Marek Suchazevski, and Lauri Luik. In 2018, Marek attended a street food festival in Tallinn, where he noticed that single-use plastic cups were being replaced with reusable alternatives. The process faced challenges as vendors struggled with manual counting and deposit collection.

Driven by the desire to make a difference and inspired by RFID technology’s potential, the Cuploop team organized a test event in Tallinn. They tagged 15,000 reusable cups with Confidex RFID tags, each with a unique ID. The outcome was promising, affirming that RFID technology was the missing link they needed to make their vision a reality.

Nowadays, Cuploop’s concept is still simple but effective. The company operates reverse vending machines strategically placed in streets, shopping centres, and public spaces. When customers buy food or drinks in reusable packaging, they pay a deposit, either in cash or through card payment. Later, they can conveniently return the packaging to a Cuploop machine, tap their bank card or cell phone on the terminal, and collect their deposit refund. Additionally, customers can choose to receive bonus points as a refund, making the process even more rewarding. Unlike single-use items, reusable cups can undergo up to 100-500 cycles before recycling.

The path ahead

With unique RFID IDs on each cup, Cuploop’s software can seamlessly collect data on when the packages were sold, returned, and the number of cycles they have undergone. This data enables better tracking and inventory management, ensuring that shops know how many packages are available and when they might expire.

By collaborating with reusable packaging operators like Eesti Pandipakend and GreenCup, Cuploop has made its mark in Lithuania, Germany, the Netherlands, and beyond. Their seamless and efficient solution has garnered interest from various businesses, including COOP Estonia grocery chain, which is piloting their machines. Cuploop also collaborates with Tallinn Song Festival Grounds, where Estonia’s biggest national events occur.

Thanks to the recent €2 million investment from Estonian SmartCap’s Green Fund, angel investors, and Footprint Firm, Cuploop is poised for significant growth. The funding will enable the startup to finalise and market its product, further enhancing the adoption of reusable packaging across various sectors. As the world prioritises green solutions, Estonia is once again proving its reputation as one of the most environmentally-conscious countries.

This notion is backed with capital. Until 2026, through funds and direct investments of SmartCap’s Green Fund, €100M will be offered to improve the financing opportunities of Estonian GreenTech companies. SmartCap Green Fund, including its investment in Cuploop, is funded by the resources of the European Union’s recovery plan NextGenerationEU.

Would you like to discuss how Cuploop can integrate into your business? Book a quick demo with Kristi!

Founded in 2018, the team has grown to a size of 11 members and served 11 customers on 6 locations at the end of 2021. At the beginning of 2022, a total of 20 Smart Return Kiosks were in operation.

The first prototype of Cuploop’s Smart Return Kiosk was developed in 2019. In 2020, Cuploop raised 550,000 euros through financing and entered the market with the fully developed Smart Return Kiosk in the spring of 2021.

Cuploop’s solution optimizes the return process of reusable food containers and automates the return of deposits. The reverse vending machines are positioned at venues such as a sports stadium or concert hall. When food and beverages are sold in reusable packaging, customers pay a deposit amount for each cup or food container. After the food has been consumed, the packaging is returned through the hatch of the reverse vending machine.

The RFID chip integrated into the cup or food container not only allows the containers to be returned in batches, but also allows them to be identified at the same time. By tapping a contactless bank card or smartphone on the payment terminal of the Smart Return Kiosk, customers are refunded the deposit amount through the NFC transaction. The Smart Return Kiosks are emptied daily.

Reverse Vending Machine with RFID and NFC

The reverse vending machine consists of two areas: the so-called “brain” of the product, which includes the hatch for returning food containers, the RFID reader and the NFC banking terminal, and the 360-liter storage container for returned items. The RFID tags are attached to the reusable packaging. When the cups are returned through the hatch of the reverse vending machine, the RFID tags of all inserted cups are read.

The refund is calculated and transferred back to the customer via an NFC bank terminal on the Smart Return Kiosk with a tap of their bank card or smartphone.

The cups can be cleaned and can be reused approximately 200 to 300 times. A single Smart Return Kiosk can hold 300 to 350 half-liter cups before it needs to be emptied. Once the reverse vending machine is half full, it sends a notification to be emptied soon. Another notification is sent when the storage is full.

Advantages of Cuploop

High speed

Food container return and deposit payment are several times faster with RFID than with barcodes or QR codes. Multiple food containers are identified at the same time. The payout takes place automatically. The entire return process takes just a few seconds.

Solution Sustainability

Food containers can be washed and reused for 200 to 300 cycles and beyond. Fewer natural resources are used.

Recycling of RFID Tags

Plastic material and the components of the RFID tag can be easily separated in the recycling process. The plastics are ground into granules and placed in a pool. The metal parts of the RFID tag sink to the bottom and the adhesive is separated from the plastic floating on the surface. The plastic can be reused for another life cycle.

Cost Efficiency

RFID labels are priced at three to five cents each, in some cases 15-25 cents (industrial grade) each, depending on specification. Labelling both reusable and disposable packaging is becoming more economical.

Challenges and Vision of Cuploop

Cuploop’s vision is a future without plastic waste. The goal is to create a network of return vending machines for both reusable and disposable packaging as part of a smart city infrastructure. Waste prevention and environmental protection are a global trend.

By using RFID tags, Cuploop is able to collect a variety of data – for example, how many usage cycles a package has gone through, and when and where the food container was returned. Cuploop anticipates that this data can be used in the future to provide Big Data analytics and statistics to customers. Customers will be able to quantify how many usage cycles their food containers have gone through.

One challenge for Cuploop is to quickly distribute the Smart Return Kiosks and establish itself as a solution provider for returnable packaging. The Cuploop Smart Return Kiosk itself is currently being further developed to also enable QR code reading. The next generation of Cuploop Smart Return Kiosks is expected to be modular.

By offering the “brains” of the reverse vending machine – the return hatch, RFID reader and banking terminal – as a module, Cuploop customers will be able to install these components in a wall, for example, much like an ATM. The size of the storage bin will be adjustable to accommodate more returned food containers. The aim is an area-wide placement of the reverse vending machines.

Interview with Lauri Luik

Cuploop has developed the reverse vending machine to optimize life cycle management and automated deposit return of reusable food containers. Multiple packages are identified instantly with RFID, payment is automated using NFC – a new solution in the trend towards more re-usable packaging.

Interview

1. What was the motivation for Cuploop to develop its solution?

The idea was to replace single-use with re-usable packaging. Our co-founder Marek attended an event in 2018 that tried to achieve this, but returning the packaging took a long time. The event organizers had problems with the existing systems that were not able to process refunds automatically. Refunding in cash or via app is too complicated at an event with 60,000 people.

We started to figure out how to automate the collecting of re-usable packaging and the deposit refund, and to make this service as easy to use as possible. We don’t ask anybody to download any kind of app, fill out a form or give us personal data. The only thing you need to use the solution is your bank card or smartphone.

2. Why does Cuploop use RFID technology, instead of for example barcode or QR-code?

We wanted to make the return process fast. When tens of thousands of people at a concert for example head to the exit and want to return their re-usable packaging, reading the tags one by one with barcode or QR-code takes too long. You can put 40 cups into our Smart Return Kiosk at once and it reads them all instantly.

We see the biggest advantage if the amount of food containers increases. When most of the vendors switch to re-usable, it is impossible to read large amounts of food containers with barcode or QR-code. With our system, you can read thousands of packaging instantly and track them.

3. Why are event organizers not just using paper cups instead of plastic cups?

The paper cups actually have very thin layer of plastic inside. If the material ends up in nature or in the ocean, then it’s about as harmful to the environement as plastic. Therefore, this is not a good solution. Re-usable packaging is the best alternative for single use. And the best material for re-usable items seems to be plastic, PP and PET, because it is not expensive, it is not heavy, and it is very durable. The cups can last for 200 to 300 use cycles and more.

And it is very easy to use RFID on those re-usable plastic cups. If you use a re-usable container, it’s already more environmentally friendly after the third use, and even more economical after the 15th use.

4. Do your customers have to buy the Smart Return Kiosk, or is it rented out?

In the beginning, our aim was to sell the Smart Return Kiosks, but we have also designed a rental model as well as a subscription model. Our main business is that we take a small fee for every food container that is returned into our Smart Return Kiosk, we call it fee per scan.

In big grocery stores, it can be 1 cent per unit of food container. For big events like concerts, basketball games and football games, it can be 10 cents. It depends on the business.

Our interest is to spread out our Smart Return Kiosks as fast as possible everywhere. We can approach the vendors and provide the full service. In some cases, our clients are actually the service providers, meaning that they take care of emptying our Smart Return Kiosks as well as logistics and washing.

5. What is your vision for Cuploop?

We see a future where there is no plastic waste. And our aim is to make our solution universal and make our Smart Return Kiosks part of a smart city infrastructure. Single use items are not good for the environment, and many big companies and governments have realized this. Most of the big companies want to show that they are green, or at least going greener.

What is interesting is that we have only reached out to our very first client in Estonia when we started. All other clients have actually reached out to us by themselves. They have some somehow found us, which actually confirms that we are doing the right thing.

Would you like to discuss how Cuploop can integrate into your business? Book a quick demo with Kristi!