Costa Coffee trials reusable cup scheme powered by blockchain

Costa Coffee has today (29 September) launched a trial of a new blockchain technology-powered reusable cup scheme called BURT.

The BURT trial – which stands for ‘Borrow, Use, Reuse, Take Back’ – launches today across 14 stores in Glasgow and will last for six months.

The company will be using the trial to gain feedback from customers and learn about uptake and behaviour towards reusable cups. It hopes to use its findings to optimise and develop a scheme that it will roll out more widely across the UK in phases.

By making a one-off £5 payment to join the scheme, customers can scan the QR code on the base of a stainless-steel BURT cup, which links the cup to the customer’s account, via blockchain technology powered by Austella’s Valari platform.

Customers can then return the cup to a participating store, where it will be scanned and machine-washed, ready for the next customer. Customers will be given a new BURT cup with each new order.

Mark Cundle, CEO, at Austella, said: “Austella is delighted to be working with Costa Coffee to launch the trial of BURT and believes passionately in the role blockchain technology can play in helping businesses reduce their environmental impact and make it easier for consumers to make sustainable choices.

“One quick scan of a QR code and Costa customers will be able to enjoy their favourite coffee in a reusable cup, before dropping it back for the next customer to use, reducing single-use waste.”

Tesco commits to net-zero emissions from supply chain and products by 2050

Tesco recently set out a new commitment to achieving net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2050, in line with the UN’s aspiration of keeping global warming below 1.5C. The commitment comes as the retailer also announces a Group-wide net zero target of 2035 for its own operations.

Tesco’s 2050 commitment will cover emissions generated in the sourcing of raw materials and food production; in the use of Tesco products, including food waste; and in people’s dietary choices, where an increase in the amount of plant-based food is required to cut emissions, according to the supermarket brand.

Emissions from Tesco’s products and supply chain make up more than 90 per cent of the retailer’s total emissions footprint. The retailer has today written to all of its suppliers to ask for their support in the transition to a low carbon economy. Over the next 12 months, Tesco asserts that it will set out a plan for achieving its new targets, including how it will decarbonise key emissions areas, as well as an annual update on progress.

Tesco Group CEO, Ken Murphy, commented: “In this critical year for tackling climate change, it’s right that we set out this ambitious commitment to cut emissions across our entire value chain. We don’t yet have all the answers and we’ll need support from our suppliers and wider society to meet our targets, but it’s vital we take action now.”

Recycleye raises £3.5 million seed round

Recycleye has raised a £3.5 million seed round for its artificial intelligence and robotics developments within the resource management sector.

The investment will be led by Promus Ventures through its Orbital Ventures space fund, with existing investors Playfair Capital, MMC Ventures, Atypical Ventures, and Creator Fund also participating. The company’s seed round takes its total funding to £4.7M since it was founded in 2019 by CEO Victor Dewulf and CTO Peter Hedley.

Recycleye states that it will use the funding to scale and enhance the accuracy, scope, and capabilities of its machine-learning and robotics technology. In addition, Recycleye asserts, the company will invest in bolstering its team, expanding into new European markets, and consolidating within existing territories.

Victor Dewulf, CEO of Recycleye, commented: “Waste is not recycled when the cost of recycling exceeds the value of the sorted material. By lowering the cost of recycling with artificial intelligence and robotics, we’re breaking this threshold and building a world where our removal chains are fully integrated back into our supply chains.”

”“It’s startling to see just how inefficient and reliant on archaic, manual processes the waste management industry is. To ensure our team understands the pain of human picking, and the need to replace it with technology, we take them on retreats to trash dumps across Europe. We are delighted to be backed by Promus Ventures, a VC firm with a track record of backing and scaling deep tech companies with world-changing ideas like ours.”