BioBox

What BioBox does

BioBox, legally INNOVATION BOX GROUP, S.A. DE C.V., is a Mexico City-based operator of intelligent reverse vending machines that collect recyclable containers (plastic bottles, aluminum cans, Tetra Pak) from individual consumers. The company deploys automated machines that recognize, separate, and grind deposited recyclables; users interact with each machine by scanning its QR code via a companion iOS/Android mobile app, scanning the barcode of the container being recycled, and depositing the item. The app's interactive map locates nearby machines across at least 16 Mexico City alcaldías including Polanco, Roma, Condesa, Del Valle, Coyoacán, and Xochimilco.

The core product is the integration of hardware (the BioBox Intelligent Recycling Machine) with a software layer (the BioBox Mobile Application) that authenticates users, logs items, and tracks points. Each container deposited accrues one point, and accumulated points are redeemed through the app for coupons from partner brands, mobile airtime and telephony bill payments, cinema tickets, and payments for household utilities (water, gas, electricity). BioBox markets itself as the first intelligent recycling machine in Mexico.

Revenue is generated through a transaction-fee model tied to brand partnerships: consumer recycling activity is converted into points, and BioBox monetizes the resulting engagement and traffic via promotional and commercial agreements with the brands that supply the rewards. The go-to-market motion is product-led via the app, supported by organic social channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) and word-of-mouth referrals. The company is privately held, employs 101–250 people, and currently operates exclusively within Mexico City with no disclosed institutional investors, funding rounds, or geographic expansion beyond the single metro.

Name

BioBox

Legal name

INNOVATION BOX GROUP, S.A. DE C.V.

Website

https://biobox.com.mx

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

BioBox operates intelligent reverse vending machines across Mexico City where consumers deposit recyclable bottles, cans, and Tetra Pak containers via a mobile app, earning points redeemable for bill payments, mobile airtime, cinema tickets, and brand coupons.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Benito Juárez

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Points-based reward system with brand partnerships: Users accumulate points by depositing recyclable containers in BioBox machines. Points are redeemed for rewards provided by partner brands including coupons, bill payment services, mobile recharge, movie tickets, and airtime. Revenue is derived from brand partnerships and promotional agreements with participating companies that offer discounts and services through the BioBox platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BioBox operates intelligent reverse vending machines that automatically recognize, separate, and grind/crush recyclable containers (plastic bottles, aluminum cans, Tetra Pak) deposited by users. A companion mobile app authenticates users via QR code scanning, logs barcodes of recyclables, accumulates points per container, and lets users redeem points for rewards such as utility bill payments (water, gas, electricity), mobile airtime, cinema tickets, and brand discount coupons.

Product overview

BioBox is a smart recycling ecosystem consisting of two core components: the BioBox Intelligent Recycling Machine and the companion BioBox Mobile Application. The intelligent machine recognizes, separates, and grinds recyclable waste (bottles, cans, Tetra Pak), while the mobile app enables user authentication via QR code scanning, barcode scanning of recyclable materials, point accumulation, and reward redemption. The two products work together to gamify recycling—users earn points by depositing recyclables through the app and redeem them for coupons, mobile airtime, utility payments, and cinema tickets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BioBox Intelligent Recycling Machine

Quantifiable outcome

• Automated recognition, separation, and grinding of recyclable containers
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ecoATM: Operates self-service kiosks (under Gazelle) that accept used electronics for instant cash/quotes. A consumer-facing automated collection kiosk with incentive-based redemption — the closest behavioral analog to BioBox, though for electronics rather than recyclables.

Broad incumbents

• Envipco: European-headquartered RVM manufacturer and operator with global deployments, including the Americas. Closest international competitor offering automated recognition, separation, and compaction of beverage containers similar to BioBox's machine.
• Wincor Nixdorf / GLORY: Provider of retail technology including reverse vending machines as part of broader checkout and recycling solutions. Comparable as an established RVM provider integrated with retail and CPG partner ecosystems.
• Veolia Mexico: Major multinational waste management operator with a strong Mexican footprint. Comparable as a large-scale recycling and waste-services operator in the same geography, though focused on industrial/MRF-scale operations rather than consumer RVMs.
• TOMRA: Global leader in reverse vending machines and collection solutions for beverage containers. Operates deposit-return schemes across Europe, North America, and other regions, representing the most established and scaled analogue to BioBox's intelligent RVM model.
• ALPLA: Global packaging manufacturer with significant recycling operations in Mexico and Latin America. Relevant comparable as a large-scale operator integrating recycling with consumer brand relationships across the region.

Emerging players

• RecycleGO: Digital recycling platform using blockchain and incentive mechanisms to drive consumer recycling behavior. Comparable as a tech-enabled, incentive-driven recycling engagement model targeting the same behavioral thesis as BioBox.
• PetStar: Largest PET bottle recycler in Latin America, based in Mexico. Operates collection and recycling infrastructure for PET bottles — directly relevant as a Mexican-focused beverage-container recycling peer operating at industrial scale.

Regional players

• RVM Systems / Sielaff: European manufacturer of reverse vending machines used in deposit-return programs. Relevant comparable for hardware specifications and machine design, though primarily serving European retailers and municipalities.
• ReciVeci: Mexican informal recycling program that facilitates household recycling pickup. Comparable as a Mexico-focused consumer recycling engagement initiative, though operating on a different (pickup-based) service model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/bioboxmx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bioboxmexico
• Instagraminstagram.com/bioboxoficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BioBox