In just 3 years, the RecycleMich app achieves 2 million pieces of packaging correctly disposed of thanks to the committed community.
Vienna (OTS) – Austria’s first recycling app RecycleMich reports an impressive milestone: 2 million plastic and metal packaging and beverage cartons scanned via the app. Not only did over 26,000 lucky winners benefit from this, but above all it is a big step towards more resource conservation and environmental protection. No matter whether at home or on the go – the RecycleMich app works throughout Austria. Now the app has even made it to the final of the renowned international Sustainability Awards in Amsterdam. It will be seen in November 2024 whether the app has also won in its category.
The success story of the RecycleMich app continues: “The 2 million mark after three years is clear evidence of the growing environmental awareness of Austrians and an important step towards a sustainable circular economy. We are thrilled by the great response to our app”
says Ines Kilnhofer from the management team of the RecycleMich initiative. RecycleMich also received widespread public attention through its participation in major events such as the Vienna City Marathon or the Vienna Danube Island Festival. RecycleMich was also present for the third time with a large event tent at the 41st edition of Europe’s largest open-air festival, which this year from June 21st to 23rd on the Danube Island attracted over 2.5 million visitors to promote environmentally conscious collecting.
Clever solution for more sustainability
Since the recycling potential in Austria is not yet fully exploited, the RecycleMich app is an important initiative to raise awareness of errors in recycling, improve collection, provide information about recyclable materials and their disposal, and maintain dialogue with people. “We want an initiative in which everyone – users, companies and the Austrian waste management – pull together to sustainably protect natural resources and advance the circular economy.”
explains Christian Abl, Director Recycling at Reclay. “The biggest bottleneck is still the collection in Austrian households. We want to return all packaging to the cycle. We need these recyclable materials to make packaging from them again. This can be achieved by providing incentives for the right collection.”
Recycling incentives for consumers
According to a current study by Brand Trust, 71 percent of consumers expect brand manufacturers to be more committed and act in a socially and ecologically responsible manner in order to eliminate grievances. “With the RecycleMich app, we offer producers and manufacturers the opportunity to incentivize the correct recycling of their packaging. The regional waste separation information is intended to ensure that users recycle correctly. In this way, the brand manufacturers take responsibility for the packaging placed on the market and ensure that the collection and recycling of recyclable materials is improved. We create an important connection between manufacturers and consumers. This is one of the central key elements if we want to further advance the circular economy and recycling in Austria,” says Ines Kilnhofer.
RecycleMich im Finale des Sustainability Award 2024
With RecycleMich, recycling becomes child’s play: users simply scan the barcode on their packaging and immediately receive regional information on how to properly separate waste. As a reward for their commitment, there are great bonuses and competitions such as shopping vouchers from Lidl or streaming subscriptions from Sky X. Over 26,000 environmentally conscious collecting heroes have already been rewarded. Whether at home or on the go – thanks to the easy handling of the app, the disposal of empties throughout Austria is child’s play and environmentally friendly. This has even received international recognition: RecycleMich made it to the final of the renowned Sustainability Awards in Amsterdam. It will be announced in November 2024 whether the app won in its category.
RecycleMich partners are behind the joint initiative
Without the support of all partner companies, successes like this would not be possible. The circular economy can only work if everyone really pulls together.
Coca-Cola HBC Austria, Mark Joainig, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director:
“As a founding partner, we can proudly say: With 2 million pieces of packaging collected, RecycleMich proves that sustainable awareness-raising works and helps achieve recycling goals. We will therefore continue to promote the responsible use of valuable packaging materials as part of our collaboration.”
Dr. Beckmann, Heidi Harbeck, General Manager delta pronatura GmbH Austria:
“We are pleased to have been a partner of RecycleMich for several years. It is a matter close to our hearts to support this important initiative. Preserving value is the most sustainable care – the Dr. brand follows this credo. Beckmann since the early 1980s. The use of resource-saving and recyclable packaging materials also plays a crucial role. RecycleMich plays an important role in turning waste into valuable material.”
Eckes-Granini Austria GmbH, Thomas Parkfrieder, Managing Director:
“With the steadily increasing Austria-wide participation and the achievement of the 2 million mark of recycled packaging via the RecycleMich app, not only does every participant and ‘RecycleMich’ win, but also the environment in particular. Every single empty packaging is a valuable raw material that can be returned to the packaging cycle through proper recycling. We warmly congratulate ‘RecycleMich’ on its nomination for the Packaging Europe’s Sustainability Award 2024 and look forward to many more packaging collected together.”
Espara, Martina Seidl, Marketing & Product Development:
“Recycling must become a matter of course for packaging that cannot be dispensed with in the first place. And for all those who need an incentive, RecycleMich has implemented a contemporary motivation that is functional and suitable for everyday use.”
Henkel Consumer Brands Austria, Jaroslava Haid-Jarkova, General Manager:
“For Henkel, promoting the circular economy is a strategic priority within our sustainability strategy. We want to motivate our consumers to recycle our packaging correctly in order to close the loop. To ensure that this project is successful, we are also working with external partners, including RecycleMe.”
Lidl Austria, Simon Lindenthaler, Head of Corporate Affairs:
“There is no Planet B – this saying expresses how important it is to take care of our planet. We have to start again with all generations and bring them closer to the topic of appreciative use of resources and materials. Proper recycling must become a matter of course – this is also possible at a wonderful music festival like the Donauinselfest, where all age groups celebrate together!”
Download the RecycleMich app today and become part of the movement for a sustainable circular economy.www.recyclemich.at
About the RecycleMich initiative
The RecycleMich initiative was launched by the Reclay Group together with Coca-Cola and other leading beverage manufacturers. The aim of the initiative is to increase awareness of correct recycling among the population and thereby optimize the separate collection and material cycles of packaging. Digitalization plays a leading role here – be it as an innovative app for consumers or in the serialization of packaging. More under: www.recyclemich.at
About RecycleMe
RecycleMe GmbH is the international management consultancy in the area of the circular economy. The subsidiary of the Raan Group, which includes Reclay among other companies, focuses, among other things, on sustainable packaging and product management as well as circular market developments. The team advises and supports renowned customers from various industries in optimizing the recyclability of their packaging and in fulfilling international obligations relating to extended producer responsibility. The RecycleMe brand combines state-of-the-art technical capabilities, digital assessment tools and innovative solutions, allowing companies to benefit from a holistic approach to national and international requirements in a modern circular economy. More information at: https://recycleme.eco
Questions & Contact:
Nicole Vacha
Corporate communications
+43 664 88261061
n@raan-group.com