Cycle’s recycling tech was used at Sunday’s Super Bowl
By Nancy Dahlberg
Born in a University of Miami dorm room, sustainability startup Cycle Technology has been acquired by Recycle Track Systems, a leader in traceability and sustainability solutions for the materials, waste, and recycling industry.
Cycle created a recycling technology and data platform that rewards fans and event-goers for recycling their empty beverage containers at Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs). The acquisition includes Cycle’s RVM tech and recycling rewards platform. Three of Cycle’s co-founders will be joining RTS – Anwar Khan, Connor Pohl and Harrison Mount. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“Cycle and RTS have been collaborating over the last year and it was clear, given their size and scale, for us to formally team up. [RTS CEO] Greg Lettieri has been a tremendous mentor and resource to Cycle, and we look forward to growing with him and his team’s leadership,” Khan said.
Cycle powered by RTS will be partnering with teams across the MLB, MLS, and NFL to increase recycling rates and reduce waste, and today it’s available in select stadiums. Cycle started with HEINEKEN USA and Inter Miami CF in early 2022. Then it quickly expanded as part of Anheuser-Busch’s National Recycling League, a multi-sports league coalition aiming to reduce waste on game day, to first launch at Washington Nationals’ Nationals Park, then with the Philadelphia Eagles.
2023 Super Bowl debut
As the first team in the NFL to debut the emerging technology, the Eagles offered prizes, from autographed items to even tickets to next year’s season opener, for fans who recycled at their home games at Lincoln Financial Field.
This past weekend, RTS and Cycle brought RVM technology to the Super Bowl with Anheuser-Busch.
RTS is also the sustainable materials management provider for professional teams, including the New York Mets’ Citi Field and Brooklyn Nets’ Barclays Center, assisting in reduced emissions through increasing diversion from landfill and providing sustainable material management services powered by real-time metrics and feedback regarding the team’s waste management practices.
“Our acquisition of Cycle adds an interactive, real-time recycling experience our customers can leverage. At RTS, Cycle joins Zerowaste.com, Recyclebank and our expanding suite of innovative, industry-leading products that are driving the community engagement and education our customers need to meet their zero waste goals,” said Lettieri.
A look back at Cycle’s humble beginnings
Seeking to enter a Holt Prize competition, then freshmen roommates Khan and Pohl quickly came up with a business plan that rewards college students for recycling. They came in third place, but, they kept working on their concept, forming a company and team. In 2019 they won the University of Miami’s startup competition and its $10,000 prize, provided seed capital and valuable connections to begin bringing their idea to life.
Cycle went on to raise more angel capital, incubating their early reverse vending machine technology on UM’s campus and beyond. Then came stadium partnerships.
“Our first stadium was with Inter Miami CF and the Miami Tech scene was instrumental in connecting us with the right people to help our company grow. We got into contact with RTS over a year ago now, and ever since we first connected it was evident that our companies complemented each other greatly,” Pohl told Refresh Miami on Wednesday after the deal was announced.
“When we started this company in our dorm at the University of Miami for a business plan competition, we never could have dreamed of where it would eventually take us.”
Photo at top of post: from left, Cycle Technology co-founders Anwar Khan, Connor Pohl and Harrison Mount.
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Follow Nancy Dahlberg on on Twitter @ndahlberg and email her at ndahlbergbiz@gmail.com
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