Cuploop

Today is the International Day of Zero Waste. 🌎

Every year, humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste.

Without urgent action, the annual waste generation will hit 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050.

We need to rethink consumption and build a circular economy where resources are reused, repurposed, and regenerated instead of discarded. 🌿

"We don't want reusable cups because it's expensive!"

Yes, true. But also no.

Reuse is definitely not (yet) competitive with single-use. But we need to break the barriers.

Let us present a case study where REUSE CAN MAKE MONEY.

Real data:
🔹 15k cups with RFID tags for €0.44 each
🔹 10 Cuploop automated return kiosks (RFID-enabled)
🔹 €0.10 per cup washing
🔹 €0.10 for handling and logistics per cup

Assumptions:
🔹 10k cups used per week, i.e., 40k per month
🔹 95% return rate
🔹 2k new cups purchased each month for replacement
🔹 40k single-use cups eliminated per month at €0.05 each (€2k total)
🔹 Trash pickup & services reduced by €2k per month

Monthly operational costs are nearly €11k in each case. Cup replacement, washing, logistics, and servicing account for 87% of the expenses.

1️⃣ 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝟭: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗡𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲" 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹

In this case, the business saves & earns €6k per month.

How?

By:
🔹 eliminating single-use cups,
🔹 reducing trash, and
🔹 earning from unpaid deposits (95% return rate means 2k cups are not returned each month, and the company gets to keep the deposit).

Still, the costs outweigh the savings and the business loses €59k per year by implementing reusables. In the name of ESG and a cleaner world, it's a minor cost for some, major for others.

Note: If instead of single-use plastic cups, one is swapping out compostable cups for reusables, the loss shrinks to €35k.

2️⃣ 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝟮: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗥𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲" 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹

This time the business implements a Reuse Service Charge. A mere 20 cents that covers operations and washing. Customers pay €1.20 (or ~€1.25 with VAT) deposit and are refunded €1.

💲 Immediately, the business is €41k in profit. Cost elimination and reduction add up nicely. The CFO is happy and customers don't care much. 💁

‼️ Obviously, this approach doesn't fit all. Economies of scale can drastically change the outcome. For a smaller business, unit costs may be higher, which could change the financial picture.

We’ve tried to provide a balanced, objective case study, but if you spot any issues or flaws, we welcome your feedback.

Note: We haven't included other potential savings and earnings, such as:
🔹 Kiosks can be branded for sponsorship opportunities.
🔹 Automating cup returns minimizes the need for extra staff at collection points.
🔹 Avoid penalties for single-use plastics (though not relevant everywhere, yet).

Are you willing to pay 20 cents for a well-working reuse system? If you are, then probably your customers are too. As long as the price isn’t inflated. Setting a 1 € fee, for example, would likely turn customers away.

Sustainability should be second nature: seamless, simple, and rewarding. That’s why Cuploop is teaming up with Mugshot, an app that turns your reusable cup habit into crypto rewards. ☕💰

Here’s how it works:
✅ Use a reusable cup
✅ Snap a pic at a Cuploop kiosk with the Mugshot app
✅ Let AI verify your return
✅ Earn B3TR tokens with real-world value

Want in? 🔗 Get started at mugshot.vet!

NB! This feature is coming in March, but you can already start using the Mugshot app.

VeChain

Ever wanted to get your hands on a Cuploop return kiosk? Well, here's your chance. 📌

Want to see one in your area? Let us know, we might be able to make it happen. 🤷‍♂️

Thinking about becoming a partner or a customer? Don’t be shy. Reach out. We’re all ears. ♻️

Reusable cup systems are gaining momentum, but let’s be honest – return logistics can be a pain. 🤯 Slow returns, misplaced cups, and manual handling can make “reuse” feel more like a hassle than a solution.

That’s where Cuploop comes in. 💡 Our smart return kiosks use RFID technology to scan multiple items instantly, provide frictionless refunds (cashless), and integrate seamlessly into existing POS systems.

For reusable cup providers, event venues, visitor attractions, and corporate cafeterias, this means:
✅ Higher return rates → More cups back in circulation
✅ Lower operational costs → Less manual processing
✅ Real-time data insights → Optimize and scale your reuse system
✅ Stronger sustainability positioning → Attract eco-conscious customers & investors

We’re scaling fast and partnering with businesses that see sustainability as a growth opportunity, not a challenge. Ready to make reusables as convenient as disposables? Let’s talk!

📩 DM us or visit cuploop.com to learn more.

This year is already off to a good start! Please welcome our new Head of Sales, Kristi Tihkan. 👋

While she’s usually hitting the slopes in winter, a recent knee surgery means she’s trading ski poles for sales goals this season. 🎯

She brings a strategic mindset and a proven track record in driving sales growth – exactly what Cuploop needs as we continue to scale and mature.

Drop, Tap & Go?

Reusable solutions are becoming increasingly common worldwide, and disposable packaging will soon be a thing of the past. 🚫

This is where Cuploop's innovation comes into play.

Our RFID-tagged food containers and Smart Return Kiosks lay the groundwork for transitioning to a circular economy. These solutions extend the lifecycle of packaging and support the development of essential infrastructure in international markets. 🌍

Simply drop off your used containers at one of our kiosks, tap your phone or card, and go. It's that easy! 👍

With RFID technology we ensure efficient tracking and management of container usage, making sustainability convenient and efficient.

Say hello to our newest team member – Head of Marketing, Maiko Kiis! 👋

In his own words:

"After enjoying the surprisingly long Estonian summer, I'm now the newest member of Cuploop. They develop reverse vending machines (RVM) for the circular economy, promoting reuse.

And no, they're not just focused on cups. They handle all kinds of food containers, and in the future, all sorts of reusable packaging will be in the mix.

In a world where just 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions, you might ask: "Maiko, why do you care?" Worse yet, 56 companies are responsible for 50% of the world's plastic pollution.

Being a pessimistic optimist, I am ready for the worst, but hope that my generation and future generations will fix many of the wrongs that have happened in the race to capitalism. Reusing cups won't solve all of the world's problems, but it certainly won't make them any worse.

In fact, reusing is 5-10x more efficient and impactful than recycling.

With single-use plastics on the path to being banned, Cuploop and other players in the reuse sector will see tremendous growth.

So, I'm just trying to make a tiny dent."

Our Customer Success Manager, Mattias Metsaru, recently attended the III Estonian Zero Waste Conference, titled “Circular Systems are a Reality."

This year’s conference highlighted real-world zero waste solutions that are already being implemented. It’s great to see how quickly these concepts have transitioned into practical, effective systems in just a few short years. Including Cuploop, which was merely an idea 5 years ago. 🌱