Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for managing information relating to recycling activities are described. One embodiment described herein is directed to a method for accessing aggregated recycling information for use and/or display in connection with an account-based recycling program. The method comprises receiving first and second container information, the first container information concerning a plurality of first containers for a first recycling transaction and the second container information concerning a plurality of second containers for a second recycling transaction. The first and second container information is stored and associated account information concerning at least one consumer account. The method further comprises accessing, in response to receiving a query relating to a plurality of recycling transactions, information relating to at least the first and second containers so as to enable the use and/or display of aggregated recycling information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving, at a retail location recycling return center, a first bag associated with a first consumer, the first bag holding a first plurality of recyclable containers;   receiving, at the retail location recycling return center, a second bag associated with a second consumer, the second bag holding a second plurality of recyclable containers;   transporting the first bag and the second bag from the retail location recycling return center to a processing center;   receiving the first bag at the processing center and receiving, from a scanning device located at the processing center, a first set of information for the first bag representing a first recycling transaction, the first set of information including information about individual recyclable containers of the first plurality of recyclable containers;   receiving the second bag at the processing center and receiving, from the scanning device located at the processing center, a second set of information for the second bag representing a second recycling transaction, the second set of information including information about individual recyclable containers of the second plurality of recyclable containers;   storing, in at least one memory, the first and second sets of information;   associating, in the at least one memory, the first set of information with a first consumer account associated with the first consumer and the second set of information with a second consumer account associated with the second consumer; and   in response to receiving a query relating to a plurality of recycling transactions, accessing in the at least one memory information relating to at least the first and second sets of information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising scanning the first and second pluralities of recyclable containers using the scanning device to determine the first and second sets of information. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the scanning device comprises a barcode scanner. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of information comprises a redemption value for each of the first plurality of recyclable containers, and the second set of information comprises a redemption value for each of the second plurality of recyclable containers. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of information comprises a material for each of the first plurality of recyclable containers, and the second set of information comprises a material for each of the second plurality of recyclable containers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of information comprises a Universal Product Code (UPC) for each of the first plurality of recyclable containers, and the second set of information comprises a UPC for each of the second plurality of recyclable containers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of information comprises a container identifier for each of the first plurality of recyclable containers, and the second set of information comprises a container identifier for each of the second plurality of recyclable containers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each recyclable container of the first plurality of recyclable containers has a deposit refund amount associated therewith, and wherein the method further comprises refunding to the first consumer the deposit refund amount based on the first set of information. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the accessed information relating to at least the first and second sets of information comprises a value corresponding to at least the first and second pluralities of recyclable containers, and wherein the plurality of recycling transactions correspond to a plurality of consumers.