An AI-based recycling pilot has launched in Cardiff city centre which allows people to recycle their used paper cups in return for a 5p reward.
The three-month pilot will allow people to recycle their used paper cups at participating Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, Greggs, McDonald’s and Pret a Manger stores.
The pilot launched this week as part of a partnership between Keep Wales Tidy, the National Cup Recycling Scheme and waste sorting app Bower.
Customers purchasing drinks in paper cups from these retailers can download the Bower app, scan their cup with the AI photo scanner, and return it to a participating store for proper recycling. Each returned cup earns a 5p reward via the app.
Commenting on the launch, Owen Derbyshire, CEO of Keep Wales Tidy, said: “This scheme is a fantastic opportunity for Cardiff to lead the way in paper cup recycling, showing how small actions – like returning a used cup – can add up to a big impact.
This scheme is a fantastic opportunity for Cardiff to lead the way in paper cup recycling…
“By working together across industries and engaging the public, we can reduce litter, keep valuable materials in circulation, and move towards a more sustainable future for Wales.”
Most paper cups can be recycled multiple times into new products, including paper packaging.
As part of the recycling process, Keep Wales Tidy says the plastic lining is separated and repurposed into items, such as garden furniture and cable ties, in Wales, while the fibres are processed at a specialist paper mill in the Lake District.
Berfin Mert, Co-founder at Bower, commented: “We’re excited to support Cardiff’s groundbreaking initiative, which features the world’s first paper cup recycling scheme powered by AI.
“Thanks to the AI object detection technology, developed in collaboration with Google, consumers can instantly identify and recycle their paper cups and get rewarded for their good acts.”
