StatieHeld for the smaller collection points
Use Case
StatieHeld which stands for deposit hero, is a startup originally for recycling deposit products at smaller spots. StatieHeld offers a quick and easy way to recycle bottles and cans using smart recycling bins and receive the money back immediately digitally, on the go. This makes returning small bottles and cans not only easier, but also more attractive.
StatieHeld uses Tikkie to manage payouts. In the interview given below, the StatieHeld CEO — Valerie van Zuijlen highlights the solution and why they chose Tikkie as a partner in getting refund for their customers.
A conversation with Valerie van Zuijlen, StatieHeld CEO.
StatieHeld? What made you think of that?
(This is a Dutch play on words: it roughly translates as Deposit Hero.)
“Most collection points for returning cans and bottles with a deposit are in supermarkets. You can buy the cans and bottles almost anywhere, but there aren’t many collection points. Compact machines are ideal for this, machines that can check and refund deposits at the same time. The only problem is that they don’t exist yet. So 18 months ago, our founder Ruben Autsema got in touch with start-up builder LABNEST,” explains Valerie.
From concept to prototype
“Under the watchful eye of LABNEST, we and a team of partners and business innovators devised a business plan and tested prototypes at universities and festivals such as Mysteryland. I recently became CEO of the StatieHeld team, where I head both the technical developments and the organization.”
What’s your biggest challenge?
“Our biggest challenge is trying to install our compact deposit refund machines in as many locations as possible, throughout the Netherlands. We particularly want to help smaller sales outlets to refund deposits. Places like schools, filling stations, theme parks, holiday parks, on-the-go supermarkets, sports complexes… It would make it much easier for people to return their empties, and would help prevent litter. It’s our way of contributing to a more sustainable society.”
Who are the ‘deposit heroes’?
“The real deposit heroes are the consumers. We just make it easier for them to return their cans and bottles while they’re on the go. Their reward is that the deposit is refunded immediately via Tikkie. We not only want to make it easier for people to return their cans and bottles, we also want to raise consumer awareness about the importance of recycling and reducing litter.
Why is your solution different from all the others?
“StatieHeld stands out because the compact deposit return machines we’re going to produce have the same features as the collection points you find in supermarkets, but ours are specially designed for smaller sales outlets, like schools, filling stations, theme parks, holiday parks and sports complexes where canned/bottled drinks are drunk straight away.”
Competitive prices from Tikkie
“We chose Tikkie because we needed to find a payment method for refunding the money. After much research, we realized that the options were limited. Tikkie charges very competitive prices compared with other payment methods for recycling, which made Tikkie particularly attractive. This fits in perfectly with our mission to encourage recycling. We also like Tikkie because their services are accessible and effective, particularly the easy integration with a QR code.”
Making it really easy for consumers
“The StatieHeld process couldn’t be much simpler. First you scan the can in the machine. If there’s a deposit, a Tikkie QR code is created right away and the deposit is back in the client’s account before they know it.”
Where will we see these StatieHeld machines?
The first dozen or so machines have already been installed. You’ll see them at universities, ‘to go’ supermarkets, theme parks, holiday parks, filling stations, etc. If you want to see one ‘in the wild’, go to Radboud University in Nijmegen, Kronenburg shopping center in Arnhem, Spar supermarket in Zoutelande, the De Leistert holiday park, or Bakker Bart in Ede.
Do you want to know how to get refund from StatieHeld machine via Tikkie? Find more details here.
