From now on, all Austrians can use the RecycleMich app to collect their empty plastic, aluminium and beverage carton packaging and be rewarded for recycling it correctly. After RecycleMich was launched in the pilot region of Vienna just over a year ago, all federal states have now been integrated into the app.
RecycleMich combines digitalisation, educational work and awareness-raising. The initiative pursues the goal ofncrease awareness of correct waste separation among the population, because only together can we succeed in collecting and recycling more recyclable materials. In Austria, around 150,000 tonnes of valuable packaging ends up in residual waste or even in nature every year. What's more, that, according to Greenpeace, Austria produces 24 per cent more plastic waste than the European average.
RecycleMe as an app solution starts right here and creates incentives for consumers to promote environmentally friendly behaviour: Scan empty packaging with the app, register recycling containers, dispose of correctly in the designated bins or the yellow bag, collect points and win - This is the principle behind the RecycleMich app, which has been operating successfully in the pilot region of Vienna for almost a year and a half.
Around half a million packages of beverages, detergents and cleaning agents, cosmetic products and food supplements have been recorded in the app since its launch. For products from Partner companies such as Coca-Cola Austria, Delta Pronatura, EckesGranini, Henkel, Innocent and RedBull users even receive additional points for proper collection. There are attractive and sustainable prizes to be won on a weekly and monthly basis, such as the organic fruit and vegetable box.
Now the operator of the recycling app, the internationally active RecycleMe GmbH, has taken the next step by RecycleMich throughout Austria available.
"According to Statistics Austria, there were around 4,020,000 private households in Austria in 2021. It is our clear goal to motivate all these households to adopt correct recycling behaviour. We are therefore delighted that we have been able to further develop the RecycleMich app technically and roll it out throughout Austria. From now on, all citizens from the federal states will also have the chance to win attractive prizes for exemplary recycling behaviour."
Stefan Siegl, Head of Digital Innovation at RecycleMe
Lidl Austria is the new partner for the weekly and monthly draws and provides users of the app with shopping vouchers for the whole of Austria. In the near future the RecycleMich app logo including QR code on Saskia and Freeway brand labels be found on the website. The aim is to make consumers more aware of the need to collect and dispose of their empty packaging correctly.
"Our vision is: less plastic - closed loops. Together, we want to drive forward the circular economy and create the framework conditions to make recycling and separating plastic packaging as easy as possible for everyone. That's why we support the RecycleMich initiative, which can make an important contribution here."
Alessandro WolfCEO of Lidl Austria
For Stefan Siegl, the expansion of the RecycleMich initiative to the whole of Austria is a model example for sustainable models in the modern circular economy in which different players along the value chain work together successfully. Packaging manufacturers across the product range take responsibility for motivating consumers to recycle correctly. Partners and supporters of the initiative provide attractive prizes to reward exemplary behaviour. And with the app, we at RecycleMe offer a platform that enables this collaboration and at the same time raises awareness for the sustainable use of valuable resources."
Source: RecycleMe
