A security officer in the UAE received a new iPhone 15 as a reward for adopting a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. The Nepalese expatriate, Dipesh Chamlagain, took the initiative to recycle nearly 1,600 plastic bottles within a week, earning him the coveted prize.

Chamlagain became involved in recycling when the technology company Renie introduced a smart bin at his workplace. Expressing his disapproval of how people casually discard plastic without considering its environmental impact, he collaborated with the housekeeping staff to collect and recycle the bottles.

While initially planning to upgrade his iPhone 8, Chamlagain is now the proud owner of the latest model, courtesy of his eco-friendly efforts. He expressed his commitment to continuing bottle recycling, extending the opportunity to his colleagues, stating, "They deserve a chance to win too."

Renie has strategically placed over 1,000 smart bins across the UAE, including prominent locations like the Burj Khalifa, Wafi Mall, and the Digital Government of Ajman office. Sander Van Waes, the founder of Renie, explained the incentivized recycling approach, where users receive a raffle ticket through the Renie app for each recycled bottle. This system has gained traction, with thousands of new users joining after the recent announcement of raffles, featuring prizes such as PlayStation 5, wireless earbuds, and fitness trackers.

Van Waes emphasized that the choice of prizes is determined by the company's budget, user activity, and preferences, as they are not sponsored by any external entities. The success of the initiative has led to a growing user base, and the upcoming raffle will offer another chance for a winner to receive the coveted iPhone 15.
The operational process of Renie's smart bins involves registering bottles placed in them within the system. "Upon reaching full capacity, a signal is generated, and we relay this signal to a local waste management company. The plastic collected from the bins is then sold to recycling facilities.
He further clarified, "Our contribution lies in offering waste management companies pristine feedstock, eliminating the necessity for manual sorting. These companies store the collected plastic, which is then sold to recyclers. The recyclers, in turn, convert it into raw materials that form the basis for creating various products.