Automated Reusable Cup Returns with Instant Card Refunds. No Apps, No Coins, No Waiting.
Smart DRS enables fast, fully automated reusable cup returns at events, stadiums, venues and any closed-loop environments.
Visitors simply return the cup or multiple cups and receive the deposit back to their payment card instantly. There is no registration, no queues, no handling of coins.
Reusable cups reduce single-use plastics, lower waste-handling costs,
and create a more sustainable festival or event. Smart DRS makes the re-use process automated, convenient, and easy-to-run.
Deposit is added to the price of the drink.
Drop an empty reusable cup into the Smart Collection Point and confirm when returned.
Receive deposit for returned cups, or print out return receipt in the case of missing payment card.
Receive the deposit back in a seconds to linked bank account with used credit, or debit card.
Whether you already work with a reusable cup supplier or are introducing reusable cups for the first time, our system adapts to your needs. We can seamlessly integrate with cups you already use or support you in designing and supplying a new reusable cup solution tailored to your venue.
Our AI-powered recognition system can verify returned cups (and bottles) using multiple identification methods depending on customer requirements, including cup design recognition, QR codes, UIC, RFID, and other identifiers.
By automating the entire return process, our system eliminates manual cup handling, allowing staff to focus fully on serving visitors and enhancing the guest experience.
We provide a return system purpose-built for large arenas, major festivals, and high-visitor-volume environments. Our solution combines AI-based cup recognition, instant card refunds, and fully automated return stations, enabling visitors to return cups quickly and conveniently without staff assistance, app downloads, or user registration.
Our solution is designed to integrate effortlessly with your existing operational infrastructure, including washing systems and other back-of-house processes, minimizing disruption to your current setup.
To make reuse fast, easy and fun we developed a fully automated Smart Collection
Point – a return station placed in high-traffic areas easily accessible to everyone
Data matrix codes offer same data in a smaller size, enabling them to be placed even on small areas like can ends. They are also read and engraved faster than QR codes. However, Smart DRS fully supports other forms of 2D codes as well, such as QR, Micro QR, and others.
Smart Collection Point is equipped with an AI powered camera. It monitors the container handover and evaluates what type of object is being returned.
No, since the compaction is done by consumers prior to the beverage containers‘ return. In addition, Smart Collection Point allows for the use of much larger bins / containers for beverage containers storage compared to a standard RVM.
HoReCa sector can be easily registered and integrated with retailers, same as in the traditional model. The key benefit of Smart DRS for HoReCa is the ability to set up their own affordable Smart Collection Points, making the return process fast and convenient for their customers.
Yes, curbside collections are fully supported, thanks to use of Unique IDs on every container. The downside of curbside collection is that containers cannot be compressed, and counting machines are required. The quality and purity of the material will most likely be lower compared to the model with DRS dedicated collection points.
Yes, Smart DRS fully supports the return of aluminum cans.
The UCID can be placed either on the tab of the can or directly on the lid surface. It can be also placed anywhere on the body. However, the code aggregations will be simplified.
Yes. For single use glass bottles it works the same way as for single use PET bottles and aluminum cans.
For crate-based returns of refillable bottles, it supports manual collection, and it is fully compatible with existing crate-based collection processes.
For non-crate based returns of refillable bottles, it works the same way as for single-use bottles, the Smart Collection Point is then equipped with a soft-drop system.
Either on the cap / crown, or on the label.
Yes, both refillable and reusable cups and containers follow the same process as single-use containers, they just cannot be compacted.
Yes, manual collection points are fully supported in Smart DRS. Additionally, Smart DRS saves retail and storage space because the containers are compressed prior to their return.
Small or Micro producers are fully compatible with Smart DRS. They purchase UCIDs before placing products on the market and receive stickers with UCIDs to be placed on their products.
Alternatively, they can buy lids or caps from can lids / caps producers with pre-lasered UCIDs.
It could, but it should be temporary. Parallel operation of the two systems would eventually become annoying for the consumers as they wouldn’t know if they can crush their bottles or not.
Producers would begin producing beverages with unique codes on caps and lids. Retailers could host both RVMs and Smart Collection Points simultaneously. However, beverage containers with UCIDs on caps or lids will not be whitelisted and returnable through standard RVMs. Over a short period, typically no longer than six months, containers with unique codes would replace EAN-labeled products, and Smart collection points would gradually replace RVMs.
Alternative approach is to start by replacing RVMs with Smart Collection Points in closed ecosystems, such as factories or schools, or by adding affordable collection points in locations and events where no return opportunities previously existed, such as festivals or gas stations. This helps prepare for a gradual transition through large-scale pilot projects.
Another alternative is to use Smart DRS to enhance system security. In this case, DRS operators only pay for access to the Deposit Validation Server and a fee for each connected RVM. The only requirement is that the UCIDs can be scanned, and the material handover confirmed, which requires an integrated scanner within the RVM. Additionally, operators can purchase several RVM add-ons to improve functionality: