Recirclable

What Recirclable does

Recirclable is a Massachusetts-based reuse platform that operates a mobile app-enabled reusable container system for takeout food, serving eco-conscious consumers and restaurants across Greater Boston, Western Massachusetts, and Maine. Consumers download the Recirclable app on iOS or Android, scan QR codes at participating restaurant checkouts to borrow reusable containers, and return them to any participating restaurant within a 14-day window; non-returned containers trigger a $15 fee. The core technology stack comprises a mobile application with QR code container tracking, geolocation for location-based restaurant discovery, and Stripe for PCI-compliant payment processing.

The product surface includes the Recirclable App, the Restaurant Partner Network (in which partner restaurants configure menus, pack orders in reusable containers, and manage washing and recirculation), and the Reusable Container System itself, which uses BPA-free polypropylene containers from brands including Mepal, Preserve, and Ozzi, as well as stainless steel containers, all designed for hundreds of uses and dishwasher/microwave compatibility. The platform is structured as an open network, allowing cross-restaurant returns to maximize consumer convenience and network density.

The business model combines two revenue streams: a transaction fee mechanism ($15 charged to consumers for non-returned containers after the 14-day window, functioning both as revenue and a return incentive) and subscription/recurring partnership fees paid by restaurants to participate in the network, with restaurant-side pricing not publicly disclosed. Recirclable is an LLC founded in 2021, operating as a private company with no disclosed venture capital backing; its most significant external funding is an EPA award of nearly $22 million in 2024 earmarked for reuse technology development. The company holds US Plastics Pact Reuse Catalyst Partner status, is an Ellen MacArthur Foundation community member, and operates active partnerships with JP Zero Waste and Clean Water Action's ReThink Disposable program.

Name

Recirclable

Legal name

Recirclable LLC

Website

https://recirclable.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Recirclable operates a mobile app-enabled reusable container platform serving eco-conscious consumers and SMB restaurants across Massachusetts and Maine, using QR-code tracking and a 14-day return window.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Reusable Packaging & Circular Economy Platform

NAICS

Waste Management and Remediation Services (562)

akta.pro primary industry

Reusable Packaging & Refill Systems (Returnable Transport Items, Deposit/DRS Ops) (EUAIANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reusable Packaging & Container Return Programs (On-site) (BPABALAJ), Packaging Recovery & Closed-Loop Programs (Take-Back, Deposit-Return, EPR Support) (IMALAMAF), Donation, Reuse & Sustainability Returns Programs (TLAIAHAJ)

Keywords

• Reusable container service
• Reuse platform software
• Circular packaging solutions
• Sustainable takeout containers
• Container tracking app

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Container Purchase Fees: Consumers are charged $15 per container if they fail to return borrowed containers within 14 days. This acts as both a revenue stream and an incentive mechanism to ensure container returns and circulation.
2. Restaurant Partnership Fees: Restaurants pay to join the Recirclable network and offer reusable containers to customers, though specific pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Recirclable operates a mobile-app-based reuse platform that lets consumers borrow reusable food containers from participating restaurants by scanning QR codes at checkout and return them to any participating location within 14 days. The company supplies durable BPA-free polypropylene and stainless steel containers designed for hundreds of uses, charges a $15 per-container fee if items are not returned, and onboards restaurants onto a partner network across Greater Boston, Western Massachusetts, and Maine.

Product overview

Recirclable is a reuse platform that connects eco-conscious consumers with participating restaurants through its mobile app and partner network. The core offering consists of the Recirclable App (iOS and Android) that enables consumers to borrow reusable containers via QR code scanning, track borrowed items, and return them to any participating restaurant within 14 days. The Restaurant Partner Network comprises restaurants that offer reusable containers for takeout, handle container washing and recirculation. The Reusable Container System provides BPA-free polypropylene and stainless steel containers designed for hundreds of uses, replacing single-use takeout containers. The platform is part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation community and operates as an open network across Greater Boston, Western Massachusetts, and Maine.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Recirclable App A mobile application available on iOS and Android that allows eco-conscious consumers to borrow reusable containers from participating restaurants, track borrowed containers, scan QR codes to return them, and receive reminders to return items within 14 days to avoid purchase fees.
• Restaurant Partner Network A network of restaurants and food service providers that offer reusable containers for takeout orders. Partner restaurants configure their menus to offer reusables, pack orders in containers, and wash and recirculate returned containers.
• Reusable Container System A reusable container service featuring BPA-free polypropylene containers (from brands including Mepal, Preserve, Ozzi) and stainless steel containers. Containers can be borrowed for up to 14 days free of charge; failure to return results in a $15 per-container fee. Some containers are microwave-safe and all are dishwasher-safe.

Quantifiable outcome

• 340 lbs of trash collected by JP Zero Waste initiative

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, supporting and pilot.

• Ellen MacArthur FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecirclable is part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation community, indicating alignment with circular economy principles and global reuse initiatives.
• U.S. Plastics PactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected for inaugural cohort of U.S. Plastics Pact Reuse Catalyst Partners, a key initiative for advancing reuse in the US plastics economy.
• JP Zero WastemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with JP Zero Waste on waste reduction initiative, in collaboration with Clean Water Action's ReThink Disposable program.
• Clean Water Action's ReThink Disposable ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership to reduce disposable packaging waste in restaurants through the ReThink Disposable program.
• Lexington Zero Waste CollaborativesupportingOthersNonprofit partner whose sponsorship and container purchases help accelerate reuse adoption in local communities.
• University of Maine/ReuseMEsupportingOthersNonprofit partner supporting reuse adoption through sponsorship and container purchases.
• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party payment processor for secure credit card processing. Stripe is PCI Server Provider Level 1 certified.
• Newton North High SchoolpilotOthersOne of the first high schools to offer reusables on an open campus, serving as an educational pilot for reuse adoption.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CupClub: UK-based reusable cup return system with smart-tracked containers for cafes and food service. Comparable in reusable-container-as-a-service model, QR/IoT tracking, and circular-economy branding.
• Muuse: Singapore-based reusable cup and container platform for food service operators. Comparable in QR-code based tracking, restaurant-partner model, and circular-economy positioning across Asian markets.
• DeliverZero: New York City-based reusable takeout container network that lets restaurants offer borrowable containers via a similar QR-code/return model. Direct competitor with comparable product, target customer (independent restaurants), and consumer-facing app experience.
• Algramo: Latin American reusable packaging platform offering refill and reuse systems for food service and consumer goods. Operates a similar deposit/return infrastructure model aimed at eliminating single-use packaging, with comparable SMB and brand-owner customer base.
• Dispatch Goods: San Francisco Bay Area reusable takeout container service operating a closed-loop wash and logistics infrastructure. Comparable in mission and SMB restaurant focus, with a more vertically integrated washing model than Recirclable.
• Returnity: Reusable packaging provider for delivery, takeout, and e-commerce. Comparable in serving the reusable takeout and last-mile use case, with overlapping restaurant and logistics partnerships.
• Globelet: Australia-headquartered reusable cup and container network with a smart-tracking, deposit-based return system. Operates a similar open-network reuse model targeting cafes and restaurants, with international geographic overlap in product category.
• r.Cup (ReuseRedCup): Reusable cup and container service for stadiums, events, and foodservice. Operates a comparable deposit-style return model and serves similar B2B food-service customers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/recirclable
• Facebookfacebook.com/recirclable
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/recirclable
• Instagraminstagram.com/recirclable

Compliance1 record

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 Recirclable