Olyns, Mars partner to recycle rigid plastic candy containers

Olyns, a San Jose, California-based startup that offers reverse vending machine technologies, has partnered with McLean, Virginia-based Mars Wrigley North America to launch the Sweet Rewards Challenge as a way to encourage consumers to recycle rigid plastic candy containers. Through the challenge, consumers in Northern California can recycle rigid plastic candy and gum containers to participating Olyns reverse vending machines (RVM) in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Justin Comes, vice president of research and development of Mars Wrigley North America, says the company decided to partner with Olyns on this challenge in order to try to recycle more rigid plastics.

“Plastic waste is a challenge that requires new and innovative solutions,” Comes says. “We’re excited to work with Olyns on this innovative approach to the collection and recycling of rigid plastics.”

Olyns says its plug-and-play RVM Cubes feature a 65-inch video display, offering a sustainable way for advertisers to reach consumers in-store.

According to Olyns, the Sweet Rewards Challenge launched Oct. 25 and will run for a limited time. Consumers can deposit their hard plastic candy and gum containers to Olyns Cubes at participating locations and play a game to earn badges and win up to $100. Olyns lists participating retailers online.

“Rigid plastic containers, like those used for gum and candy, may slip through the cracks of traditional recycling systems because they’re just too small. And because states don’t offer redemption value, there is limited incentive to recycle them,” says Philip Stanger, co-founder and CEO of Olyns. “We’re changing that by combining convenient recycling with the potential to win big rewards. Every time you deposit a candy container in one of our RVM Cubes, you’ll earn points and a chance to win. We’ve set it up like a slot machine, but instead of inserting a coin to play, you deposit an empty candy container.”