Recycling Just Got Smarter: Meet the Tech That’s Turning Trash into Rewards
In a world where recycling often feels more like a chore than a meaningful step toward our well-being, some ideas are flipping the script—making it fun, useful, and fully connected with today’s tech. That’s exactly where The Cube comes in: a smart machine that’s changing the way we think about recycling. Just drop in your bottles or cans, and it does the rest—automatically sorts them, rewards you with perks, and even plays ads on a high-definition screen while it works.
Sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, right? A few years ago, this might’ve been unthinkable. But today, it’s very real—thanks to Olyns, a Silicon Valley startup that’s bringing people, brands, and governments together through a shared commitment to the Circular Economy.
Instead of the old-school model of “use it and toss it,” the Circular Economy is all about creating loops—where materials get reused again and again. It’s smarter, more sustainable, and a whole lot better for the planet. Projects like The Cube don’t just help recover valuable resources—they also educate and inspire. By offering real rewards, they nudge us toward better habits and a greener lifestyle.
So, what’s the deal with The Cube? Let’s take a closer look at how it works, and why it just might be the kind of innovation we need to become more mindful, eco-conscious citizens of the world.
What Is “The Cube”?
Developed by Silicon Valley startup Olyns, The Cube is an eye-catching smart recycling machine with a massive 55-inch screen. But it’s not just for show—it combines artificial intelligence, digital rewards, and advertising in one sleek unit. Technically, it’s called a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM): you feed it your bottles and cans (plastic, aluminum, or glass), and it scans, crushes, and sorts them by material. In return, you get rewards like digital coupons, points, or even small cash payments. Simple as that.
Key Features
📺 Digital Display & Smart Content
The Cube features a 4K 55-inch HD screen, designed to stand out in high-traffic spots like grocery stores, pharmacies, or shopping entrances.
It runs on Wovenmedia’s remote content management system (CMS) and BrightSign’s playback hardware, ensuring reliable performance, real-time updates, and easy scalability.
🤖 AI-Powered Sorting
Olyns has integrated powerful AI tech that can accurately detect and sort different types of containers—minimizing contamination and maximizing recycling efficiency.
Thanks to this precision, The Cube achieves a 99% recovery rate, meaning more high-quality recycled materials (like rPET) and far less waste lost due to sorting errors.
🎁 Rewards for Everyday Users
Users are rewarded instantly via the Olyns mobile app, which tracks your recycling, gives you points or coupons, and even sends small electronic payments.
Plus, the app shows your personal recycling stats, leaderboards, environmental impact scores, and more—turning the act of recycling into a game you’ll actually want to play.
⚙️ Easy Setup & Maintenance
All The Cube needs is a space the size of a regular vending machine and a standard 120V power outlet. Olyns handles the rest—installation, maintenance, pickup of the recyclables, and compliance with local regulations.
In some places, like Catalina Island in California, the local government has even funded its installation to support CRV refunds (California Redemption Value) in areas that had gone without proper recycling infrastructure for decades.
What’s CRV?
It’s the small refund you get in California when you recycle beverage containers at authorized centers—basically, cash back for doing the right thing.
What Does The Cube Offer — To People, Brands, and the Planet?
🧍 For Everyday Users
Recycling that actually feels rewarding. Just drop in your bottles or cans, and you’ll instantly earn digital rewards—while also seeing how your actions are helping the environment.
It’s contactless and interactive, thanks to the Olyns mobile app, which lets you track your progress, check out your eco-impact, and redeem your rewards—all from your phone.
🛍️ For Brands and Retailers
The Cube doubles as a powerful retail media platform, delivering ads right at the entrance of stores—when people are most ready to shop.
It offers programmatic, scalable advertising that can be customized by location, time of day, and audience. Plus, brands get access to real-world performance data, including environmental impact metrics tied to transportation and recycling.
🏛️ For Governments and Sustainability Goals
Only about 14% of plastic is actually recycled, according to Olyns. The Cube helps boost those numbers by making recycling accessible and engaging.
And here’s the smart part: it’s a self-sustaining model. The ad revenue helps cover the logistics, making it perfect for cities or towns that lack deposit systems or recycling infrastructure.
Where It’s Already Making a Difference
Catalina Island, California
This was the first U.S. city to sponsor a Cube, bringing back CRV (California Redemption Value) refunds after 20 years without access. Installed at a Vons supermarket, the store provided the power and space, while recycling services were handled by CR&R.
Bay Area and Beyond
There are already over 60 units active across Northern California, and the plan is to reach 300 Cubes by the end of 2025.
Other locations include:
Entrances to Safeway stores
High-traffic supermarkets, pharmacies, and urban spots in Los Angeles and Atlanta
Strategic partnerships with platforms like Screenverse, Vistar, Place Exchange, and Broadsign Reach
Real Impact, Real Numbers
Every week, The Cube network in California recycles around 200,000 containers, with measurable reductions in emissions and a growing contribution to a smarter, more circular economy.
Why This Project Stands Out
What’s truly exciting about this project is that it’s not just about recycling more—it’s about recycling smarter. The technology behind The Cube understands how we behave and actually motivates us to get involved. It proves that something as simple as tossing out a bottle can be transformed into a positive experience—where everyone wins:
You get rewards,
Brands connect with people in meaningful ways,
And the planet gets a much-needed breather.
Projects like this are a powerful reminder that the circular economy isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a real chance to shift our habits and be part of smarter, more sustainable solutions. And the best part? This is just the beginning.
It’s worth keeping an eye on this kind of innovation, because every step forward brings us closer to a future where taking care of the environment feels modern, rewarding, and totally in sync with the way we live today.
What About You?
Would you like to get rewarded for recycling?
Do you think incentives like this could actually change the way we consume and throw things away?
If you’re curious to learn more, stay tuned—there’s a lot more to come. 🌍✨
https://www.avnetwork.com/news/this-55-inch-digital-screen-helps-promote-sustainability-on-a-reverse-vending-machine
https://www.olyns.com/olyns-in-the-news/closed-loop-partners-backs-olyns-for-recycling-infrastructure-growth