How the Reclaim Cup System Works

• The customer purchases her beverage.

• There is a preprinted "red reveal" hidden message on the bottom of her (and every) cup.

• She knows that the hidden messages are redeemable offers for coffee or higher value rewards; or, may just give a Starbucks-style "fortune,” therefore, she has a strong incentive to view the hidden message.

• The message is positioned on the bottom of the cup which encourages her to decode the message only when she’s ready to dispose of the cup. 

• When she’s done drinking her coffee, she inverts her empty cup over the recycle bin to display the hidden message under the red decoder window.

• If the cup is not redeemable, she simply lets the cup drop into the bin.  Cups and lids can easily be separated at the recycler.

• If the cup is redeemable, she claims her reward, surrendering her cup at the counter, or she retains it for future redemption.

• If she purchased her cup of coffee in-store and takes it with her, she can always hold on to it to check it later.  Either way the cup finds its way into the recycle bin.
  

• Since the “red reveal” recycle bins are weather-proof and are not electronic, they can be placed inside or outside stores and kiosks.

How Reclaim Cups Reduce Waste

Reclaim Cups reduce waste by reducing the number of cups that are sent to the landfill.  The possibility of a reward compels people to take the Reclaim Cup to a decoder/recycle bin to decode the message.  This can even compel those who find a discarded Reclaim Cup to take it to a decoder/recycle bin.

How the Reclaim Cup System is Implemented

• “Red reveal” printing – This is widely available and well established. However, it’s still very unique and it’s fun to watch your message be revealed right before your eyes.  If “red reveal” doesn’t provide enough encryption to sufficiently hide a reward, a lenticular-style hidden message can be used.  This is also well established and only requires changing the decoder from a red transparent plastic sheet to a grooved plastic sheet.  Complex 3D or moving images can even be created with a lenticular hidden message – all without the need for electricity.

• Printing on the bottom of the cups – This may not increase the overall cost of the cup if done during other cup printing operations.  Also, many inks exist that are compatible with recycling operations, minimizing environmental impact.

• Decoder Bar/Recycle Bin – A simple injection molded, recyclable plastic with an overmolded red plastic insert is all that’s needed.  The decoder bar can be added to existing bins or designed to compliment a new bin.  The cost for the decoder bars could be less than $5.00 each, depending on the volume produced and the manufacturing method.

• Reward Messages – The messages can be accompanied by a bar code or 2D data matrix code that can be scanned by the cashier.  This provides a system for proper accounting and can eliminate attempts to redeem a cup’s reward multiple times.

The accompanying layouts provide more detailed information on the way the Reclaim Cup system can go a long way toward encouraging you to Recycle your cup, CLAIM your reward, and RECLAIM your planet!