How Derby is Using Smart Reuse Tech to Tackle Single-Use Waste
- Skye Blank
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
Disposable packaging is one of the most significant contributors to plastic pollution, with approximately 7 million disposable cups used and discarded daily in the UK. Single-use packaging is creating unnecessary waste, emitting carbon and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which causes health risks to all, and we’re seeing rising disposal costs for businesses and councils.
However, in Derby, we’re leading change. Thanks to businesses switching to reusable packaging that is equipped with reuse technology, we’re seeing a significant reduction in plastic and carbon emissions.
How Derby is Making Reuse Work
Across Derby, a growing number of venue spaces, such as Derby Live and Vaillant Live, sporting stadiums, such as Derby County Football Stadium, and smaller businesses, such as Down To Earth, have made the switch from single-use to reuse. And they’re doing it with the support of data-driven technology.
Using our technology, businesses have been using their reusable packaging as touchpoints to connect and engage customers in eco-friendly habits with AppNostic. Behind the scenes, our Flow Platform tracks each reuse and collects real-time data, helping businesses view stock levels, plastic and carbon savings, and generate ESG impact reports.
From large stadiums to your local small businesses, reuse is becoming the new normal. Derby is setting an example of how tech-enabled solutions can deliver practical, measurable reuse systems.
How Circulayo’s Technology is Supporting Businesses?
Our technology is designed to make reuse simple, measurable, and scalable for businesses of all sizes and industries. The technology can be used with any reusable product, not just reusable cups.
AppNostic
AppNostic is our QR code-enabled consumer engagement platform that brings your reusable product to life. Customers simply scan the QR code on a reusable product to unlock a personalised experience where they can win rewards, enter competitions, find the nearest return points, access sponsor promotions, and much more.
It is a highly customisable platform where businesses can add their branding and messaging to tailor content to specific events or locations, helping engage customers more effectively. Using data collected through the Flow Platform, businesses can also see which content resonates best with their audience.
By engaging customers through AppNostic, businesses enjoy higher return rates and stronger customer relationships, encouraging more eco-friendly habits.
Flow Platform
The Flow Platform tracks every transaction and collects data at every touchpoint, monitoring the entire lifecycle of reusable products. It captures key data such as return rates, user engagement, environmental savings, and product availability. This gives businesses a clear view of their environmental impact, reuse system performance, and stock levels.
With these insights, businesses can precisely measure their impact and create reports that showcase transparency and accountability. By analysing the data, they can identify opportunities to enhance their reuse and sustainability efforts, enabling more confident, informed decisions.
Using data-driven technology ensures businesses not only measure and meet sustainability targets but also build trust and engagement with their customers and communities.
Results We’re Seeing in Derby
Since launching in 2021, we’ve been working with businesses across Derby to swap single-use packaging for smart, reusable alternatives. The results have been powerful, cutting down waste, reducing carbon emissions, and waste disposal resources along the way. Here’s a snapshot of what’s been achieved so far:
Total Number of Single-Use Products Saved
740,638
Carbon Savings
32,149Kg+
Plastic Waste Avoided
14,812Kg+
Estimated Cost Savings by Using Reusable Products Instead of Single-Use
£100,000+, dependent on the types of single-use plastic products used, labour costs, and waste management resources.
“Derby is showing that reuse doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right technology, it becomes seamless, measurable, and engaging. It’s proof of what’s possible to enable a circular economy.” – Andy Flinn, CEO of Circulayo
Derby is becoming an example of how local businesses, venues, and organisations can implement reuse effectively. By combining smart, accessible technology with the willingness to ditch disposables, Derby is showing just how practical and powerful reuse can be.
What’s Next
The progress in Derby is just the beginning. With strong results already in motion, we’re now working to support even more local businesses, venues, and organisations to make the switch from single-use to smart reuse.
We’re also rolling out our latest solution, Tap & Return, a frictionless deposit return system that makes it even easier for customers to return reusables. It’s fast, simple, and helps boost return rates by engaging customers with a refundable deposit.
As reuse continues to gain traction across Derby, our goal is to keep making it easier, more rewarding, and more accessible for everyone involved.
Ready to start collecting data on your environmental impact?
Join the growing number of businesses switching to reusable packaging powered by Circulayo’s technology.
