Refill-IT

About:
Refill-IT is a decentralized system aimed at reducing plastic waste in cafeterias by incentivizing users to reuse containers. It uses a staking model through smart contracts to address the problem of single-use plastic containers, promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.

My Role:
Product Designer & Ideator

Challenge:
Latin America generates 17,000 tons of plastic waste per day (Source: UN), with only 4.5% of that being recycled (Source: World Bank). Single-use plastic containers are convenient, affordable, and deeply ingrained in user habits, making it difficult to shift to more sustainable alternatives. The lack of incentives further discourages users from changing their behavior.

Solution:
Refill-IT offers a simple, user-friendly solution where users can make a deposit via a smart contract for the value of a reusable cup ($1 USD), use it to get coffee, and return the cup within 15 days. If the user returns the cup, the deposit is refunded, making the use of the reusable cup free. This system benefits both users and cafeterias:

• Users reduce their plastic waste with minimal inconvenience.
• Cafeterias can track the number of visits and the amount of plastic saved per customer on the blockchain. This data allows for creating loyalty programs, such as offering a free coffee after every 5 visits or cryptocurrency rewards for top users who have saved the most plastic in a given month.

Reflection:
Refill-IT was born out of my experience working at a similar startup in Barcelona, Youbumerang. It was one of my first prototypes applying regenerative finance concepts, combining blockchain and the circular economy to make a positive impact. The product has significant potential to drive mass crypto adoption in sectors like gastronomy, with low development costs.

Hackathon Finalist:
Refill-IT was a finalist at the Ethereum Argentina Hackathon 2024, showcasing its potential to revolutionize sustainability in the food industry using blockchain technology.