IL296905A

IL296905A - Incentivized recycling

Info

Publication number: IL296905A
Application number: IL296905A
Authority: IL
Inventors: MOALEM Chen
Original assignee: MOALEM Chen
Priority date: 2022-09-29
Filing date: 2022-09-29
Publication date: 2024-04-01
Also published as: IL296905B1; IL296905B2

Description

296905/5 INCENTIVIZED RECYCLING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[001] In typical recycle schemes, users haul their recycle articles to the local recycle center, submit their materials, and then receive a payment in accordance with the number of items subject to recycling. The shortcoming is that the users frequently exert significant effort collecting and hauling the items in hope of a reimbursement that justifies the efforts and discover that recyclable items constitute a small fraction of their items. Recyclable items include aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, containers having a notice of a deposit refund, or domestic containers, for example. The resulting sense of underpayment disincentives users and the effectiveness of recycling programs. Furthermore, the process of entering a supermarket with a bundle of recyclable items, requires one to stand in line, wait for an agent to receive the items, often the agent is uncordial and will accept a limited number of items thereby making the entire process unpleasant and not worth the time and effort. [002] Accordingly, there is a need to incentivize recycle users to increase the impact of such programs and their potential positive impact on the environment. [003] One example of incentivized recycling is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0090137 to Bowles et al, entitled: "Application for device evaluation and other processes associated with device recycling", which is directed to a software application (app) for facilitating identification, evaluation, purchase, and/or other processes associated with electronic device recycling. The app may enable a device owner to assess the condition and secondhand or resale market value of his or her mobile phone and/or other electronic devices. The app can inform users of the values of their electronic devices, guide users to the locations of recycling kiosks, and offer incentives to motivate the users to recycle their electronic devices at the kiosk. The app can alert users to changes in the values of their electronic devices and can help a user prepare his or her electronic devices for selling and recycling, such as by backing up the user's data and turning off a remote device control feature. At a recycling kiosk, the app can provide an assistive interface for the user, and can use information collected prior to the user's arrival at the kiosk to facilitate kiosk recognition of the user and/or the electronic device and quickly provide the user with a price, e.g., a previously agreed price for the electronic device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[001] According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a method for incentivizing recycle of cans or bottles. The method includes the step of receiving a threshold payment amount of a user from an application executing on a user processor of a network-enabled user computing device, the threshold payment amount characterizing a minimum payment amount for which the user is willing to deposit recyclable cans or bottles into a recycle bin at a recycling location. For each of a plurality of groups of recycle candidates received at a respective recycle assessment time, each group of recycle candidates including at least one recyclable can or bottle having a known recycle value, the method includes the steps 11 December 2023 2 296905/5 of: during a first recycle assessment time, receiving electronic indicators of a first group of recycle candidates, from the application, and calculating a cumulative proposed payment amount based on a first proposed payment amount associated with the first group of recycle candidates; and during at least one second recycle assessment time, subsequent to a previous recycle assessment time, receiving electronic indicators of at least one second group of recycle candidates from the application, and for each of the at least one second group of recycle candidates, calculating a respective second payment amount associated with a respective second group of recycle candidates, and repeatedly updating the cumulative proposed payment amount based on an accumulation of the respective second proposed payment amount. The method further includes the step of sending a proposed payment notification to the application responsively to the cumulative proposed payment amount reaching or exceeding the threshold payment amount. The method further includes the step of identifying the user at a recycle bin at a recycling location, after sending the proposed payment notification, scanning the plurality of groups of recycle candidates received at the recycle bin with an electronic scanner associated with the recycle bin, identifying recyclable items received in the recycle bin and associating the received recyclable items with the user. The method further includes the steps of calculating a cumulative recycle payment for the received recyclable items; and transferring the recycle payment to an account associated with the user. [002] According to a further feature of the present invention, the network-enabled user computing device is implemented as a smart phone. [003] According to a further feature of the present invention, the account associated with the user is implemented as a bank account. [004] According to a further feature of the present invention, the method further includes the step of sending a notification to the application responsively to the transfer of the recycle payment. [005] According to a further feature of the present invention, the method further includes the step of sending a payment ineligibility notification to the application responsively to a cumulative proposed payment amount less than the threshold payment amount. [006] There is also provided according to the teachings of the present invention, a recycle system for incentivized recycle of cans or bottles. The system includes a user computing device, communicatively coupled to a computer network, the user computing device including a user processor executing an application. The system further includes a system administration unit, communicatively coupled to the computer network. The system administration unit includes: an administration processor executing an administration module, and a bin scanner of a recycle bin at a recycle location, the bin scanner communicatively coupled with the administration processor. The administration module is configured to receive a threshold payment amount of a user from the application, the threshold payment amount characterizing a minimum payment amount for which the user is willing to deposit recyclable cans or bottles into a recycle bin at a recycling location. For each of a plurality of groups of recycle candidates received at a respective recycle assessment time, each group of recycle candidates including at least one recyclable can or bottle having a known recycle value, the administration module is configured to, during 11 December 2023 3 296905/5 a first recycle assessment time, receive electronic indicators for a first group of recycle candidates from the application, and calculate a cumulative proposed payment amount based on a first proposed payment amount associated with the first group of recycle candidates, and during at least one second recycle assessment time, subsequent to a previous recycle assessment time, receive electronic indicators of at least one second group of recycle candidates from the application, and for each of the at least one second group of recycle candidates, calculate a respective second payment amount associated with a respective second group of recycle candidates, and repeatedly update the cumulative proposed payment amount based on an accumulation of the respective second proposed payment amount. The administration module is configured to send a proposed payment notification to the application responsively to the cumulative proposed payment amount reaching or exceeding the threshold payment amount. The recycle bin is configured to receive the plurality of groups of recycle candidates, and the bin scanner is configured to scan the recycle candidates received in the recycle bin. The administration module is further configured to: identify the user at the recycle bin, after sending the proposed payment notification; identify recyclable items received in the recycle bin, and associate the received recyclable items with the user. The administration module is further configured to calculate a cumulative recycle payment for the received recyclable items, and transfer the recycle payment to an account associated with the user. [007] According to a further feature of the present invention, the system is further configured to send a payment notification to the application responsively to the transfer of the recycle payment. [008] According to a further feature of the present invention, the administration processor is further configured to send a payment ineligibility notice to the application responsively to a cumulative proposed payment amount less than the threshold payment amount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS[009] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention is best understood in view of the accompanying drawings in which: [0010] FIG. 1 is schematic view of hardware employed to incentivize participation in a recycling program, according to an embodiment, and [0011] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of processing steps employed by administration module of incentivizing recycle administration unit, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION[0012] In the following detailed description, specific details are set forth in order to facilitate understanding of the invention; however, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. [0013] Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terms used in connection with the present application shall have the meanings commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 11 December 2023 4 296905/5 id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14"

[0014] Further, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular. Furthermore, well-known methods, procedures, and components have been omitted to highlight the invention. [0015] Moreover, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. [0016] The following terms are used here within. [0017] "Recyclable packages", "recyclable items", "recyclable articles" and variations thereof refer to aluminum soda cans, plastic drink bottles, and glass drink bottles that are all purchased domestically and are marked with an indicator of refund for a return deposit. In a certain embodiment, the bin will receive recyclable items even one will not be reimbursed. It should be appreciated that the specific items to which can be recycled through this theme can change in accordance with local recycle legislation and advances in recycle technology. [0018] "Unique identifier", "optically scan-able, unique indicia", "printed indicia", "unique indicia" and variations thereof refer to a unique code printed on, or belonging to, a recyclable item. Each article is identified by a unique indicium, such as a barcode. Of course other methods of identification may be used such as Quick Response (QR) code, Near-field Communication (NFC) tags, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID tags. The indicia may be printed on the label of the recyclable article, or directly on the article itself. The indicia is unique to the specific item. [0019] "Reimbursement", "remuneration" and variations thereof, refer to some manner of transfer of a financial payment or other form of remuneration. [0020] "Scan", "scanning", "scan-able" and variations thereof, refer to the function of optically scanning or capturing an image which is processed to interpret printed indicia (e.g. barcodes, OR codes etc.). Scanning can also refer to the function of electronically ‘reading’ an electronic tag such as a NFC or RFID tag, or a Bluetooth beacon, in order to capture the information stored in, or represented by, the indicia. Typically, a manufacturer creates a scan-able indicia that include an identification of the recyclable material, the type of article, the manufacturer, and the recycle value which is also printed on the article. For example, a barcode can include a material code, a factory code, and a serial number associated with each article. The Law on the Deposit on Beverage Containers 5799 – 1999 requires the recycle value to appear on cans and bottles as set forth in Section 3 of the Law: 3. (a) "Neither a manufacturer nor an importer will market beverage containers that require a deposit, unless the words "deposit required" are stamped on them or printed on them or on a label on which, in a visible form, as well as, next to them, the amount of the deposit, and all in a manner that cannot be To be removed or deleted in reasonable use (below – from each marked drink)." 11 December 2023 296905/5 Accordingly, a user knows the recycle value of each can and bottle by simply looking at the deposit amount appearing on the can or bottle. The system and method disclosed herewith in embodies an advance in the field of recycling through more effectively incentivizing user participation. [0021] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 is schematic view of the operative components of an embodiment of the incentivized recycle system together with a client user. [0022] Generally, the incentivized recycle system 100 includes a system administration unit 110 coupled to a user computing device 145 through a network 140 . System administration unit 110 includes an administration processor 115executing administration module 120 , data storage 130 , a bin scanner 135 . The user computing device 145 includes a user processor 155 running a user recycle algorithm 160interacting with administration module 120. User processor 155 is also linked to a camera 150 , or an alternative type of scanning device, and also to one or more user interfaces 170 . [0023] Looking at the system administration unit 110 , scanner 135 is operative to capture item information associated for each article deposited within bin 138 . Scanner 135 is linked, either hardwired or wirelessly to administration processor 115 that is implemented as either a special-purpose or general-purpose processor. [0024] Data storage 130is implemented as either volatile or non-volatile physical system memory and/or physical storage media. If the processing is distributed, the memory, and/or storage capability may be distributed as well. Data storage 130 holds a database of recycle articles, their associated recycle data including their respective recycle values, together with location data of the recycle bins. Furthermore, the data base includes executable code of software objects, routines, or methods executable by administration processor 115 . [0025] A remuneration engine is stored in the database and processed by processor 115 . In a certain embodiment the remuneration is implemented as either a check sent to a physical address, a bank transfer, a credit to a debit card or a store credit. User device 145 is implemented as either a computer or a smart phone, each having a camera 150 or other electronic capture capability. Without diminishing in scope, a cell phone will be discussed as an example of a user device. As noted, cell phone 145interfaces with recycle administration unit 145 after a user downloads a client administration application (app) associated with the administration module 120 . Mobile application 160 allows the user to manage a user account of the administration module 120 based on user-provided personal information, a preferred avenue of remuneration, and details regarding the user device to be used for scanning the recyclable articles. The user device contains a user ID that uniquely identifies the device like a MAC address, for example. In a certain embodiment, when user device 145 communicates with administration module 120 , user device 145 provides the user ID to enable user device identification. In some embodiments, user device 145 also provides location data through location services like WiFi, GPS, and cell tower triangulation. 11 December 2023 6 296905/5 id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26"

[0026] Network 140 is implemented either through the internet or a cellular connection, or combination of both. [0027] The components and devices of system 100 may be based in hardware, software, or combinations thereof. It is appreciated that the functionality associated with each of the devices or components of system 100 may be distributed among multiple devices or components, which may reside at a single location or at multiple locations. For example, the functionality associated with administration processor 115 or user processor 155 may be integrated or may be distributed between multiple processing units. Similarly, at least part of the functionality associated with client application 160 may reside externally to user processor 160 and/or user computing device 145 , and at least part of the functionality associated with administration module 120 may reside externally to administration processor 115and/or recycle administration unit 110 . For example, at least part of the functionality of administration module 120 may operate on either or both of administration processor 115 or user processor 160 . System 100 may optionally include and/or be associated with additional components or modules not shown in FIG.1 , for enabling the implementation of the disclosed subject matter. [0028] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of processing steps employed by administration module 120 of incentivizing recycle administration unit, according to an embodiment. [0029] As shown in flow chart 200in view of FIG. 1, incentivized recycle program 100 encourages user participation by enabling a potential user to clarify if candidate recycle articles that he intends to return are recyclable prior to arriving at the recycle bin 138 thereby saving a user the effort, time and expense of hauling non-recyclable articles for which he will not be reimbursed. Furthermore, system 100 advantageously informs a user when payment for candidate recycle articles achieves a user-provided threshold payment amount after one or more user submissions of recycle candidates. In this manner, a potential user guards himself from the frustration and disappointment of gathering potentially recyclable materials, hauling them to a recycle bin, and then receiving payment not justifying the effort nor the time. Such use disappointment discourages potential recycle users from participating in recycling programs. [0030] In step 210 , a user provides payment guidelines. The payment guidelines include a threshold payment amount defining a minimum payment required for the user to go to a recycling location to deposit the recyclable items. If no such payment guide is provided then system 100 may provide a proposed payment amount and the user may decide upon each submission if the return efforts are justified in view of the expected remuneration. [0031] During a first recycle assessment time, data from a first group of recycle candidates is received in step 212 , and a cumulative proposed payment amount is calculated in step 214 . The user scans a first group of recycle candidates including one or more recyclable items (i.e., recyclable cans or bottles), such as by scanning a unique indicia of each item via an app of user device 145 . The indicia may include information such as article material, article usage, manufacturer, and factory of manufacture. System 100 receives the scanned information and calculates a first proposed payment amount associated with the first group of 11 December 2023 7 296905/5 recycle candidates, which determines an initial cumulative proposed payment amount for the user. Payment rates are stored in database 130 and may be periodically updated in accordance with market valuations. [0032] During a second recycle assessment time, data from a second group of recycle candidates is received in step 216 , and the cumulative proposed payment amount is updated in step 218 . The user scans a second group of recycle candidates including one or more recyclable items (i.e., recyclable cans or bottles), such as by scanning a unique indicia of each item via an app of user device 145 . System 100 receives the scanned information and calculates a second proposed payment amount associated with the second group of recycle candidates. System 100 updates the cumulative proposed payment amount by supplementing the second proposed payment amount to the initial cumulative proposed payment amount (first proposed payment amount). The second group of recyclable candidates is scanned, and the cumulative proposed payment amount is updated, during a second recycle assessment time that is after the first recycle assessment time, such as following a duration of minutes, hours, days, weeks, or months. [0033] Steps 216 , 218 may be successively repeated over multiple iterations for one or more subsequent groups of recycle candidates during a respective subsequent recycle assessment time, where each subsequent recycle assessment time takes place following a previous recycle assessment time, and where the multiple iterations may occur over an extended duration (e.g., several days, weeks and/or months). [0034] For each scanned group of recycle candidates, system 100 may evaluate if the proposed recycle submission is indeed recyclable by comparing the received candidate details to a database of recyclable items. If the scanned recycle candidates includes non-recyclable items, then system 100 may issue a notification to the user. This may advantageously prevent a user from returning non-recyclable articles to recycle bin 138 as previously noted. [0035] In step 235 , compliance with the payment guideline is verified. After each updating of the cumulative proposed payment amount (step 218 ), the updated cumulative proposed payment is compared to the threshold payment amount of the payment guideline provided by the user (step 210 ). [0036] In step 240 , if the cumulative proposed payment does not comply with the minimum threshold payment amount provided by the user, then a notification of non-compliance is issued. In particular, system 100 sends a payment ineligibility notice to the user via an app of user device 145 . Non-compliance of the cumulative proposed payment can be implemented as either not exceeding a minimum threshold or not achieving a minimal threshold, depending on system configuration choices. [0037] In step 245 , if the cumulative proposed payment does comply with the payment guideline, such that the cumulative proposed payment amount reaches or exceeds the threshold payment amount, then a notification of compliance is issued. In particular, system 100 sends a proposed payment notification via an app of user device 145 , the notification specifying the cumulative proposed payment amount and indicating that the threshold payment amount has been reached or exceeded. This notification advantageously provides the user with knowledge that he will receive a payment that, according to his criterion, may justify the time and effort to carry out a recycling of the recycling candidates at a recycling location, thereby incentivizing users to actively participate in recycle programs. 11 December 2023 8 296905/5 id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38"

[0038] In step 255 , the user is identified at a recycle bin, the recycle candidates are scanned at the recycle bin and recyclable items are received, identified, and associated with the user. When a user arrives at a recycle bin 138(shown in Fig. 1), the user may identify himself through a bin identifier code, or another means providing the same functionality, thereby enabling system 100 to associate deposits into the bin with the user. In a certain embodiment, the linkage to the original system user ID is implemented through the original user submission in the absence of a new identification process. Embodiments employing a second identification use the original submission data to supply the user with proposed compensation information thereby enabling him to decide if he wants to proceed with the process. Following user identification, the user deposits the groups of recycle candidates at recycle bin 138 and scans the recyclable items of the recycle candidates with a bin scanner 135associated within bin 138 , during a recycle implementation time subsequent to the user receiving the proposed payment notification. The scanning may be implemented to ensure that the items actually deposited are scanned, usually after depositing the articles into recycle bin 138 when bin scanner is embedded within bin 138 , for example. The scanning captures the needed information on the items as analogously to the original user scan. Here too, the scanning may be implemented through scanning a barcode or QR code, or alternatively reading an RFID or NFC tag. System 100 receives the scanned information and identifies the recyclable items deposited in recycle bin 138 . [0039] A recycle eligibility is again checked for the articles actually received, through comparison with recycle data in data storage 130 using the recycle data of the deposit time. [0040] In step 265 , a cumulative recycle payment is calculated for the received recyclable items. System 100 calculates a recycle payment amount based on an accumulation of individual payment amounts for each of the recyclable items deposited at recycle bin 138 by the user, in accordance with recycle payment rates valid at the deposit date. [0041] In step 270 , a recycle payment is transferred to a user account. System 100 transfers a recycle payment to the user, in accordance with remuneration preferences provided by the user, such as by depositing the payment into a bank account of the user or by providing a store credit voucher. Account details may be provided at the time of downloading of client administration application 160 , as noted above, or at the time of submission of the recycle candidates, or at the time of physically depositing the recyclable items into recycle bin 138 . [0042] In step 275 , the user is informed of the recycle payment transfer. System 100 sends a payment confirmation to the user indicating that the payment has been completed. [0043] It should be appreciated that embodiments formed from combinations of features set forth in separate embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention. [0044] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, modifications, substitutions, and equivalents are included within the scope of the invention. 11 December 2023

Claims

1./ CLAIMSWhat is claimed is: 1. A method for incentivizing recycle of cans or bottles, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a threshold payment amount of a user from an application executing on a user processor of a network-enabled user computing device, the threshold payment amount characterizing a minimum payment amount for which the user is willing to deposit recyclable cans or bottles into a recycle bin at a recycling location; for each of a plurality of groups of recycle candidates received at a respective recycle assessment time, each group of recycle candidates comprising at least one recyclable can or bottle having a known recycle value: during a first recycle assessment time, receiving electronic indicators of a first group of recycle candidates from the application, and calculating a cumulative proposed payment amount based on a first proposed payment amount associated with the first group of recycle candidates; and during at least one second recycle assessment time, subsequent to a previous recycle assessment time, receiving electronic indicators of at least one second group of recycle candidates from the application, and for each of the at least one second group of recycle candidates, calculating a respective second payment amount associated with a respective second group of recycle candidates, and repeatedly updating the cumulative proposed payment amount based on an accumulation of the respective second proposed payment amount; sending a proposed payment notification to the application responsively to the cumulative proposed payment amount reaching or exceeding the threshold payment amount; identifying the user at a recycle bin at a recycling location, after sending the proposed payment notification, scanning the plurality of groups of recycle candidates received at the recycle bin with an electronic scanner associated with the recycle bin, identifying recyclable items received in the recycle bin and associating the received recyclable items with the user; calculating a cumulative recycle payment for the received recyclable items; and transferring the recycle payment to an account associated with the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network-enabled user computing device is implemented as a smart phone.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the account associated with the user is implemented as a bank account.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sending a notification to the application responsively to the transfer of the recycle payment.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of sending a payment ineligibility notice to the application responsively to a cumulative proposed payment amount less than the threshold payment amount. 11 December 2023 2960905/

6. A recycle system for incentivizing recycle of cans or bottles, the system comprising: a user computing device, communicatively coupled to a computer network, the user computing device comprising a user processor executing an application; a system administration unit, communicatively coupled to the computer network, the system administration unit comprising: an administration processor executing an administration module; and a bin scanner of a recycle bin at a recycle location, the bin scanner communicatively coupled with the administration processor, wherein the administration module is configured to: receive a threshold payment amount of a user from the application, the threshold payment amount characterizing a minimum payment amount for which the user is willing to deposit recyclable cans or bottles into a recycle bin at a recycling location; for each of a plurality of groups of recycle candidates received at a respective recycle assessment time, each group of recycle candidates comprising at least one recyclable can or bottle having a known recycle value: during a first recycle assessment time, receive electronic indicators for a first group of recycle candidates from the application, and calculate a cumulative proposed payment amount based on a first proposed payment amount associated with the first group of recycle candidates; and during at least one second recycle assessment time, subsequent to a previous recycle assessment time, receive electronic indicators of at least one second group of recycle candidates from the application, and for each of the at least one second group of recycle candidates, calculate a respective second payment amount associated with a respective second group of recycle candidates, and repeatedly update the cumulative proposed payment amount based on an accumulation of the respective second proposed payment amount; send a proposed payment notification to the application responsively to the cumulative proposed payment amount reaching or exceeding the threshold payment amount; wherein the recycle bin is configured to receive the plurality of groups of recycle candidates; wherein the bin scanner configured to scan the recycle candidates received in the recycle bin; and wherein the administration module is further configured to: identifying the user at the recycle bin, after sending the proposed payment notification; identify recyclable items received in the recycle bin, and associating the received recyclable items with the user; calculate a cumulative recycle payment for the received recyclable items; and transfer the recycle payment to an account associated with the user.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the system is further configured to send a payment notification to the application responsively to the transfer of the recycle payment.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the administration processor is further configured to send a payment ineligibility notice to the application responsively to a cumulative proposed payment amount less than the threshold payment amount. 11 December 2023