The future of DRS is digital
The Deposit Return Scheme is a government led initiative to reduce littering, where people pay a deposit on drinks containers and receive that deposit back when they return the container for recycling.
re-universe are Digital DRS pioneers, having run two World First pilots in 2020 and 2021. Our pioneering solution uses serialisation to capture in-scope drinks containers (of any size or material) so citizens can recycle in their home recycling bins, on-the-go, using a smart bin or an RVM.
re-universe is better for the environment, better for the economy, better for business and brings convenience to citizens.
How it works
Using re-universe patent pending technology, unique identifying codes are placed on each drinks container and also on participating recycling points, which can include home kerbside bins.
People simply scan the recycling return point, scan their drinks container/s to record and registers their recycle, refunding them through our app wallet. Transactions are recorded immutably on our low energy blockchain and our data platform brings rich insights and behavioural learnings for brand owners.
GS1
Serialisation is without doubt the future of a true circular economy, allowing for secure end-to-end traceability and transparency of waste for full accountability. Helping brand owners achieve their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Plastic Packaging Tax.
With all new technology and systems, trust is a major factor. We work with GS1 to deliver global standards and compliance.
Rich data and insights
With secure end-to-end item traceability and transparency, re-universe provides digital intelligence to all the initiatives we undertake.
re-universe secure, collect, manage and model rich data and insights, with easy access to our real-time data platform.
94% return rate!
In 2021 we worked with the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) to deliver the Worlds First Digital DRS pilot in Dublin.
This pilot remains the only Digital DRS pilot undertaken in the world using real money (deposit and return) and saw an impressive 94% return rate.
Citizen journey
Front end simplicity – back end intelligence. re-universe brings ultimate flexibility and convenience for citizens.

1. Download app

2. Scan the recycling bin

3. Scan the drinks container

4. Recycle

5. Deposit refund
World First Pilot
Between 2020/2021 we ran the Worlds First Digital Return and Reward pilot in Whitehead NI in collaboration with Bryson Recycling and MEA Borough Council, with support from Britvic Ireland, PepsiCo, Encirc and SPAR Whitehead.
Queens University Belfast independently assessed the trial with high community acceptance and engagement.
Revolutionise Recycling
Follow our journey to see how it works
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FAQs
Our technology is also ready to roll out for digital recycling or digital re-use. We are known as pioneers in digital recycling, having run 2 world-first Digital DRS projects in 2020/2021 and a recent evian project at Wimbledon reaching over 500,00 visitors. Our cup reuse project can be found at Blenheim Palace.
Please get in touch and we can chat through how re-universe can work in your organisation.
1. Transforming consumer behaviour around reuse and recycling – the app incentivises and rewards consumers for good behaviour, whilst having the ability to bring transparency and traceability to the supply chain
2. Bringing incremental economic value through the recycled and re-used items – a true circular economy
3. Immutable, secure and auditable – tracking packaging end to end
4. Capturing data and insights over time to understand consumer behaviour
5. Depending on the scheme, re-universe can work within existing waste management and infrastucture – reducing costs and carbon footprint
6. re-universe offers a real chance to accelerate change and make a positive difference
7. re-universe brings consumer ease to reuse and recycling
All of our live projects can be found on our website, we are working on a number of projects yet to appear so watch this space!
If you would like to talk to us about a potential collaboration please get in touch at hello@re-universe.com
We are not currently raising funds through external funding rounds.
However, we are always interested in talking to potential investors, particularly those who can bring relevant knowledge and experience.
If you are interested in potentially investing in us then please contact us by emailing hello@re-universe.com
There is a growing global awareness of the waste crisis; governments across the globe are under pressure to take action.
The UN Global Partnership on Marine Litter has an action plan put forward by the G7 and G20 and a resolution on marine litter and microplastics was adopted at the United Nations Environment Assembly.
The EU has set out its vision for Europe’s new plastics economy EU Member States will be obliged to reach a 90% collection rate for disposable plastic drink bottles by 2025. By 2030 all plastics packaging placed on the EU market will be recyclable or easily recycled. An EU target is in place for recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2030 and the EU has issued a directive requiring every soft drink producer to use at least 25% recycling by 2025.
Plans are in place to introduce a DRS scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 2023 with Scotland the first to implement within the UK.
Ambitious legislative targets are being put in place; many countries will struggle to meet targets and new processes and levers need to be developed to tackle the practicality of waste management and the inertia in behavioural change.
We believe radically improving reuse and recycling is the cornerstone to turning the plastic tide. It is clear that collection, sorting and reprocessing need to improve, but in parallel having a circular system that engages and changes consumers behaviour through incentivisation is critical to the success of any solution.
Deposit return schemes (DRS) are becoming more and more common all around the world. When you purchase a drink in a plastic bottle (in some cases glass) you’ll be charged a small deposit at point of purchase. When you return the bottle for recycling, you will receive your deposit back.
How your deposit is returned to you is dependent on how the country runs their DRS. In some nations, you’ll need to return the bottle to a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) at a superstore or other retail location. In other countries, the bottle will need to be returned to a designated recycling point (like a council run tip or waste management site). Regardless of the location, the deposit is always able to be claimed back.
The UK government has announced a DRS will be introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2024, with Scotland looking to introduce a DRS earlier.
re-universe have developed a system where deposits for beverage containers will be returned through an app that gives an instant reward or loyalty card style collection of points dependent on how the consumer wishes to be rewarded for recycling. This is known as Digital DRS and we are known in the industry as the Digital DRS pioneers.
We have run 2 World-first projects in Northern Ireland and Dublin and look forward to running more Digital DRS projects in the future.
We are really excited about the potential of re-universe, and are currently working with key stakeholders and interested parties to help bring this idea to life across the UK and beyond. Please do contact at hello@re-universe.com if you would like to talk to us about how re-universe could benefit your business.
re-universe technology is the cornerstone of many recycling and reuse projects that you may already be involved in!
Global smartphone ownership grows daily. According to recent research, in the UK 95% of all households in the UK own a mobile phone, with 78% of those using a smart phone and this number is growing fast.
Having an app based solution makes re-universe easy and convenient to use, however, for those without a smart phone, we have a home scan option.
re-universe uses unique codes, or serialisation, which are placed on each individual item (either on the physical product or a receipt).
Digitisation is without doubt the future of a true circular economy, allowing for traceability of waste, immutability, flexibility, rich insights and data – for cradle to grave accountability.
We are code agnostic – we can either create the unique codes for you, or work with your unique codes. We are GS1 partners.
To find out more
about Digital DRS
We can help you achieve your DRS, EPR & sustainability targets. If you want to find out more, fill out the form to the right and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.