Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Ceci n'est pas une idée.

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                     

Barcode Package Recycling Kiosk

 Kiosk scans barcodes on used packaging to get money
  (+6)
(+6) 		  [vote for,
against]

Much of our recyclable waste is due to packaging materials. That packaging often has a barcode on it. Why not put that barcode to good use by scanning it at a kiosk to get a small refund on your purchase amount. This can help track recycling metrics more accurately.
—sanman, Dec 31 2013

Please log in.
If you're not logged in, you can see what this page looks like, but you will not be able to add anything.
Short name, e.g., Bob's Coffee
Destination URL. E.g., https://www.coffee.com/
Description (displayed with the short name and URL.)






       You forgot the part about tax dollars being collected to pay for the refunds. And the part about overcoming voter resistance to increased taxes.
—swimswim, Dec 31 2013
   

       And the part about it being much more fun to burn stuff ...
—8th of 7, Dec 31 2013
   

       This is a neat idea if it can't be easily faked out by printing a million Coke can barcodes on your printer and just feeding them into the machine and cashing in. I suppose you could have it drop onto something that weighs it and makes sure it's the right weight although I suppose that could be faked pretty easily too.   

       Idea: neat. Security issue: pending sollution.
—doctorremulac3, Dec 31 2013
   

       Just like websites that know how to reject repeat spam posts of the same thing, likewise kiosks would easily be able to recognize when they are being fed duplicates of the same thing over and over again. Barcodes can describe uniqueness right down to the individual item.
—sanman, Dec 31 2013
   

       Yup, good idea, in fact, great idea.
—leinypoo13, Dec 31 2013
   

       //kiosks would easily be able to recognize when they are being fed duplicates of the same thing over and over//   

       If you're talking about UPC codes, they're identical for a particular item. They just say "This is a screwdriver from DrRemulac3s Screwdriver Emporium". But printing lots of different barcodes to simulate a truckload of various different items woudn't be too hard to do.   

       Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but you would have to come up with some way to keep people from just feeding it a lot of barcodes that aren't actually attached to that item. Not that it can't be done, but it would have to be addressed.   

       And since I'm being a dick anyway, might as well point out that barcodes can be troublesome to read on an item when it's new. You get it out of the garbage with crud all over it, perhaps with a dent running through it, well, more problems.   

       Still bun for the concept if the kinks can be ironed out.
—doctorremulac3, Dec 31 2013
   

       You can 1) overhaul and generate a database of individual product ids or you can have it so 2) only the purchaser can get a refund based on X# of things that he/she purchased of that product then x-1 on recycle. Economically #2 seems easiest for a bunch of reasons.
—leinypoo13, Dec 31 2013
   

       Not sure I follow. Are you saying have a unique code on a particular item linked to a particular purchase? Or are you saying that the person buys these particular items and can only get money back for those same items sort of like a deposit or checking out a library book? I could see that. The second thing that is.
—doctorremulac3, Dec 31 2013
   

       Yes second one, first seems a little unfeasible without overhaul, but as far as recycling awareness/discounts/ maybe scanner on your at home recycle bin , I think it's definitely worth a shot.
—leinypoo13, Dec 31 2013
   

       If you can sort stuff into Glass, Plastic, Aluminum, Cardboard and similar piles you will save recyclers lot of grief. Doesn't need to be flawless, just 90% to start.   

       They already know how much of each they are taking in. That's how they pay for it.   

       The existing kiosk machines that take cans and bottles seem to go by shape and weight. They won't take mangled cans. And they are manned most hours to kill the fraud potential.
—popbottle, Jan 01 2014
   


 

back: main index
business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle