RecycleMich app proves to be a digital addition to the new deposit system

Only 20% of packaging will fall under the new Austrian deposit system from 2025 – but what will happen to the remaining 80%? This is precisely where the innovative Austrian app RecycleMich comes in. With clear sorting information, new features and a user-friendly reward system, it provides orientation and motivation for proper waste separation. With over 2.5 million items of packaging registered, RecycleMich has already had a significant impact on recycling behaviour and resource conservation in Austria.

From January 2025, consumers throughout Austria will benefit from a harmonised packaging collection system. However, while the deposit system only covers 20% of packaging, the RecycleMich app offers a comprehensive solution for the remaining 80%.

Comprehensive solution for recycling in Austria

“The reason why only 20% of all lightweight packaging is subject to the deposit on disposable containers is very simple: the deposit only applies to disposable packaging for beverages sold in PET bottles or aluminium cans with a maximum filling volume of 3 litres. All other packaging, such as milk, mixed drinks and syrup bottles, sausage and cheese packaging, beverage cartons, shampoo bottles, toothpaste tubes, cleaning agent bottles, etc. will be collected in the same way throughout Austria in the yellow bin or yellow bag from 1 January 2025. The net collection volume for the yellow bin – i.e. the packaging that is introduced into the recycling process after sorting – was around 164,000 tonnes last year. The deposit only applies to around 38,000 tonnes of this, which will no longer be collected in the yellow bin or yellow bag from 2025,” explains Ines Kilnhofer, head of the RecycleMich initiative. “Our app helps where there is uncertainty – right at the waste container,” explains Ines Kilnhofer.

“Whether it’s a yoghurt pot with a cardboard sleeve or a detergent bottle with a sleeve, RecycleMich shows you how to separate packaging correctly with a simple scan.” As a new feature, QR codes for downloading the app are displayed directly on yellow sacks in many Austrian regions. “We are bringing recycling to where it counts – directly to consumers,” emphasises Kilnhofer.

Simple and motivating: one scan for more recycling

Whether it’s sausage packaging, pet food tins or detergent bottles – all packaging made of plastic, beverage cartons, metal or aluminium that ends up in the yellow bin or yellow bag earns valuable points for competitions. Since RecycleMich was launched three and a half years ago, the community has helped to conserve important resources and improve the carbon footprint. Together, RecycleMich has managed to save almost one tonne of carbon dioxide because the packaging collected has been recycled properly and kept in the cycle as a valuable resource.

Advent campaign 2024: sustainably through the Christmas season

RecycleMich is also committed to engagement and education in the run-up to Christmas. On social media, the RecycleMich Advent campaign in December will debunk common myths about waste separation and raffle exciting prices from partners such as Coca-Cola, Henkel, Lidl, Dr. Beckmann, Eckes Granini, Espara, Sky X, Sunnybag and 2x 5 tickets for the coveted Slalom Night Race at the end of January 2025 in Schladming. An additional main price – a WellCard voucher worth €300 – will be raffled off among all app users to promote recycling during the festive season. “Especially during the Christmas season, when the amount of waste is particularly high, we want to focus on sustainable action,” says Kilnhofer. “With our campaign, we are making recycling an exciting and rewarding experience.”

A strong year for RecycleMich

With 2.5 million items of packaging recycled and 28,500 winners, RecycleMich can look back on a strong year. One highlight was the app being named as a best practice example of circular economy at the international Sustainability Awards 2024 in Amsterdam. “Our successes are the result of close cooperation with partners along the entire value chain,” says Kilnhofer in conclusion. “Because only together can we make our vision of a sustainable circular economy a reality.”