Recyclebank
 |
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| Private | |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder |
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| Headquarters | New York, New York |
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Area served
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Nationwide |
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Key people
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Javier Flaim, Chief Executive Officer |
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Number of employees
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180 |
| Website | recyclebank.com (US) |
Recyclebank is a company based in New York City that aims to encourage recycling and environmentally-friendly habits. It brings together people, businesses, and communities to achieve real world impact by participating in household recycling and teaching how to live more sustainable lifestyles. Over 4 million people have signed up through Recyclebank's rewards program, which offers magazine subscriptions and discounts among other goods. Recyclebank’s online shop, OneTwine.com, combines the company’s sustainability expertise and rewards program to help people make more green choices when purchasing products. A Certified B Corporation, Recyclebank is headquartered in New York City.
In 2001, New York City was considering cancelling its recycling program. Then Fordham Law student Patrick FitzGerald realized that there was no true economic incentive to encourage people to recycle. He drafted a business model wherein people would be financially incentivized to recycle, businesses would be able to promote sustainability and cities and municipalities could see the results of dramatically increased recycling rates. In 2003, he contacted an old high school friend of his, Ron Gonen, who was then pursuing his MBA at Columbia. Together, the two of them set out to build Recyclebank and a year later, they completed the company’s founding business plan. By 2004, they rolled out a pilot recycling rewards program in Philadelphia. Today, Recyclebank partners with communities all over the country and offers new ways for one to learn, earn points, and shop online.
Further, since 2009, Recyclebank has been a certified B Corporation, meeting rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Recyclebank also partners with NativeEnergy, a company that helps businesses reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, in order to offset its own carbon footprint. Between 2011 and 2012, Recyclebank reduced its carbon footprint by nearly 30% by making smarter travel decisions and being more conscious of its waste and recycling habits.
Recyclebank uses the idea of "gaming for good," which combines game mechanics with environmental good, as they believe it can have a measurable impact on consumer behavior and the environment.
Gamification is used by brands to motivate employees, create healthy competition among teams, generate buzz or social proof, and encourage customer loyalty, among other benefits.
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