US traceability and sustainability solutions company Recycle Track Systems (RTS) has expanded its commitment to increase innovation in recycling by acquiring the assets of Cycle Technology, including its reverse vending machine (RVM) tech and recycling rewards platform.
Cycle is a recycling technology and data service that rewards fans and event-goers for recycling their empty beverage containers at RVMs. The newly-rebranded Cycle powered by RTS partners with teams across Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), and the National Football League (NFL) to increase recycling rates and reduce waste, and today is available in select stadiums.
Cycle made its debut with Heineken USA and MLS team Inter Miami CF in early 2022 then quickly expanded as part of Anheuser-Busch’s National Recycling League, a multi-sports league coalition aiming to reduce waste on game day, to first launch at Nationals Park, the home of MLB team Washington Nationals, then with NFL franchise the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles were the first team in the NFL to debut the emerging technology, offering prizes from autographed items to tickets to next year’s season opener, for fans who recycle effectively during home games at Lincoln Financial Field. At the weekend, RTS and Cycle brought RVM technology to the Super Bowl for the first-time with Anheuser-Busch for the Eagles’ defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Cycle co-founder, Anwar Khan, said: “Cycle and RTS have been collaborating over the last year and it was clear, given their size and scale, for us to formally team up. We are thrilled to expand the impact RVMs have through RTS’s expansive portfolio of services and clients, and through the mentorship of their executive team.
“(RTS CEO) Greg Lettieri has been a tremendous mentor and resource to Cycle, and we look forward to growing with him and his team’s leadership. From humble beginnings in our freshman dorm rooms, all of us on the Cycle team never imagined this outcome when we first started, and we are grateful for all those that have been a part of this journey.”
Today, RTS is also the sustainable materials management provider for professional teams, including the New York Mets’ Citi Field and Brooklyn Nets’ Barclays Center, assisting in reduced emissions through increasing diversion from landfill and providing sustainable material management services powered by real-time metrics and feedback regarding the team’s waste management practices.
With the help of RTS, MLS outfit Philadelphia Union’s Subaru Park was able to achieve zero landfill status, meaning that all of the waste generated at games was reduced, reused or recycled.
Lettieri said: “RTS’s momentum has been rooted in our ability to deliver cutting-edge waste management solutions that inspire and incentivise consumers to strive for sustainability. Our acquisition of Cycle adds an interactive, real-time recycling experience our customers can leverage.
“At RTS, Cycle joins Zerowaste.com, Recyclebank and our expanding suite of innovative, industry-leading products that are driving the community engagement and education our customers need to meet their zero waste goals.”
