What is the name of your organization?
ReCube Limited
What is the name of your solution?
ReCube
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Reusable tableware rental for takeaway and events
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
香港
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
HKG
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
Hong Kong discards 19 billion plastic utensils annually—2,590 pieces per person. Despite 81% public support for sustainability, only 26% adopt reusable containers due to inconvenience. With a government ban on single-use plastics effective April 2024, restaurants face urgent demand for scalable, compliant alternatives.
Research has found that the number of people who actually bring their own reusable containers for takeout is far fewer than those who support the idea. Although nearly 90% of people support the idea of bringing their own containers, only 26% have done so, mainly because of concerns such as 'not knowing whether they will need to buy takeout that day' (71%), 'inconvenience of bringing their own container' (55%), and 'concerns about restaurant cooperation' (35%). There is clearly a know-do-gap, driven by the inconvenience of carrying containers, especially when people are not sure where they go, what they eat and how they clean the containers.
Single-use plastics, such as food containers and packaging, contribute to pollution, harm ecosystems, and pose health risks to humans and wildlife. They take hundreds of years to degrade, filling up landfills and polluting our oceans.
What is your solution?
ReCube addresses the single-use tableware crisis through an integrated, technology-driven circular system that emphasizes convenience, sustainability, and social impact. Our approach begins with the deployment of IoT-tracked reusable containers that users can borrow at partner restaurants by scanning a QR code via our app. This streamlined process makes reuse convenient while also helping restaurants reduce costs on disposable tableware. After dining, customers return the containers to any partner restaurants or strategically placed return kiosks, ensuring a reliable and user-friendly experience.
Beyond waste reduction, ReCube’s model promotes social empowerment. For large-scale events, our one-stop rental service is coupled with a commitment to social inclusion; we partner with NGOs to train and employ individuals with intellectual disabilities in vital operations such as dishwashing and sanitization. This initiative not only enhances operational efficiency but also creates meaningful job opportunities in our community.
Our proven system demonstrates significant efficiency—a 98% return rate with each container reused over 1,000 times, reducing carbon footprints by 15x compared to disposable alternatives. Through continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and a clear focus on both environmental and social benefits, ReCube is setting a replicable model for circular economy practices that can transform waste management in urban settings globally.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Restaurants and general public