NextGen's Cup Challenge, launched in 2018, has focused on creating a more sustainable and economically sound alternative to traditional beverage containers. Many paper cups in particular are often a challenge to recycle, given their plastic lining.

The concepts being introduced by two different start-ups take a very different approach to what most consumers currently experience. The Muuse cups in San Francisco come with QR codes and are intended to be scanned upon pick-up and drop-off within five days, with patrons given a 25-cent discount. Failure to return the cups will result in a $15 charge. CupClub models will meanwhile have RFID tags and can be stacked at drop-off points in Palo Alto.

"In previous pilots we have achieved a 97% return rate through return incentives and product features in app," CupClub founder and CEO Safia Qureshi told Waste Dive. "We will be keeping a close eye on these metrics during the pilot." Read Full Article - Waste Dive, February 20, 2020