Pepsi: Recycle & Reward
Fans get interactive with Reverse Vending Machines
Building on the incredible success of previous Recycle & Reward activations with Pepsi, we scaled things up for one of our biggest events yet — bringing our cutting-edge Smart Tech to Munich for the UEFA Champions League Final Fan Festival at Olympia Park.
Over the course of four action-packed days, thousands of enthusiastic fans lined up to take part in the experience. The mechanic was simple but impactful: return your used Pepsi cup for a chance to win exclusive prizes. From official UEFA Champions League footballs to other exciting giveaways, the initiative drove huge engagement while promoting sustainability in a fun and memorable way.
Engagement and Impact
The "Return for the Win" activation was an excellent demonstration of how reverse vending technology can achieve a captivating brand experience while encouraging sustainable behaviours.
We added a level of fun through a game mechanic and a number of exciting, high-value prizes, which motivated thousands of fans to return their used Pepsi cups; all the while reinforcing their recycling behaviours and the Pepsi brand with positive environmental action.
The campaign exceeded all expectations, providing an example of Pepsi's continued commitment to sustainability and consumer engagement in a new, dynamic way.
4 Live Days
2,667 Cups Returned
The User Experience
The activation was interactive and rewarding. When customers recycled a Pepsi cup or can into our reverse vending machine the UI would activate and a custom Plinko game would appear to reveal their prize. The game kept participants engaged and as part of the overall experiential marketing.
Insights
The success of the “Return for the Win” activation proved that when sustainability is made simple, rewarding, and fun, consumers are more likely to engage. By turning recycling into an interactive experience, Pepsi not only encouraged responsible behaviour but also deepened brand affinity through meaningful participation.
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