Recycle Track Systems (RTS) is a sustainability leader shaping the future of waste solutions. From AI-powered waste tracking to closed-loop recycling, RTS is proving that waste reduction can be smarter, scalable, and impactful. One particular setting contributes to hundreds of thousands of plastic and aluminum containers getting thrown away in landfills – stadiums and areas.
The goal: get more people to recycle at games and events by making it rewarding and easy. Beyond fan engagement, RTS wanted to drive measurable waste diversion, help venues meet sustainability goals, and prove that rewards-based recycling increases participation.
RTS brought on human-first design agency Studio Mosaic to lead the creative strategy and motivate fans to do their part in reducing waste. RTS and Studio Mosaic needed to inspire fans to recycle instead of doing the most convenient thing (throwing in the trash).
RTS created an interactive, gamified solution: Cycle, a Reverse Vending Machine and rewards platform that makes recycling easy, engaging, and rewarding for fans. At the vending machine, fans are incentivized to insert a bottle or can and scan a QR code to earn rewards like discounts, free drinks, and game-day perks. This keeps recyclable materials out of landfills while making recycling a fun, hands-on part of the event.
Cycle debuted at Super Bowl LVII and has expanded to Citi Field, Lincoln Financial Field, and other major venues. Thousands of fans have participated, and venues now have real-time waste diversion data—proving that gamified recycling works.
Strategy and Execution
RTS built Cycle to increase recycling at events. Instead of standard bins that often go unnoticed, Cycle turns recycling into a quick, rewarding action. Fans insert a bottle or can, scan a QR code, and earn perks like team merchandise, giveaways, and exclusive game-day rewards—making recycling part of the fan experience.
Cycle doesn’t just collect recyclables—it sorts and crushes them to keep materials clean and ready for recycling. The machine crushes and sorts bottles and cans, using UPC scans to prevent contamination, giving venues confidence that recycling efforts are making a real impact. This technology provides real-time data to venues, helping them track recycling efforts and optimize sustainability strategies.
To maximize engagement, RTS partnered with Studio Mosaic to bring Cycle to life through branding, messaging, and campaign execution. Studio Mosaic ensured that Cycle wasn’t just another waste bin—it became part of the event experience. Their branding strategy made participation seamless with clear, action-driven messaging: "Recycle. Scan. Win." They also customized Cycle’s visuals to match stadium environments, team colors, and sponsor activations, reinforcing its presence at every venue. To further drive participation, Studio Mosaic advised on in-game promotions, social media campaigns, and exclusive rewards that turned recycling into an exciting, fan-driven action.
One of the biggest challenges was ensuring fans actively used the machines. To address this, Cycle was placed in high-traffic areas like concourses and concession stands, with signage that seamlessly integrated into the game-day experience. Team branding and exclusive perks made Cycle feel like a natural part of the event rather than an afterthought.
Cycle has expanded beyond stadiums into resorts and entertainment venues, proving its adaptability across different event spaces. After launching at Super Bowl LVII, it rolled out at Citi Field, Lincoln Financial Field, Nationals Park, Copper Mountain Resort, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Custom installations at venues like Lincoln Financial Field and Nationals Park reinforce how Cycle aligns with team pride, venue culture, and community identity—shifting recycling from an obligation to an act of participation.
The impact goes beyond fan engagement. Cycle provides venues with valuable waste diversion data, allowing them to measure sustainability efforts in real time and optimize recycling programs. By combining smart recycling technology with branding that drives engagement, RTS and Studio Mosaic have created a program that doesn’t just manage waste—it changes how people interact with it.
Results
Cycle has transformed fan participation in recycling, proving that an interactive approach drives results. Since launching, Cycle has engaged thousands of fans across major venues and continues to scale.
Since becoming Citi Field’s official sustainable services partner in 2017, RTS has increased the stadium’s average monthly diversion rate to 54.75%. Cycle has expanded that impact, collecting over 330 beverage containers per game at Citi Field, with fans recycling an average of 1.5 containers per transaction. The top 50 recyclers earned Mets tickets and were recognized on the stadium’s video board, driving repeat participation. Real-time waste tracking provides venues with valuable data to optimize sustainability strategies. After its debut at Super Bowl LVII, Cycle has expanded to Lincoln Financial Field, Nationals Park, Copper Mountain Resort, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre—proving its adaptability beyond stadiums into entertainment venues and resorts.
Studio Mosaic’s creative strategy ensured Cycle felt like part of the event—not just another recycling bin. Their branding, messaging, and fan engagement work helped turn a simple recycling action into a fun, rewarding experience, increasing participation and visibility. Their work with RTS has increased engagement across sustainability programs by 21% year over year, expanded partnerships with circular economy and zero waste organizations, and helped position RTS as a global sustainability leader.
By making recycling rewarding, providing real-time waste tracking, and telling a compelling story, RTS and Studio Mosaic have built a program that works and continues to grow. Cycle isn’t just helping venues manage waste—it’s changing how people think about recycling.
