Scan, Recycle, Repeat: The Future of Recycling with QR Codes

A QR code on a product’s package may be a new way to answer the common question, “Can I recycle this?”

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Ninety seven point one watch out Themwith Toby and Chilly in the Morning.
Well, according to what I'm reading, Chili recycling should get easier with QR
codes ninety seven point one watch outThem or Toby and Chilly in the Morning.
The Consumer Brand Association is working withdifferent companies to put QR codes on
their packaging to help you and Idecide whether or not the packaging is recyclable.

(00:23):
Whatever happened to just looking at thatlittle triangle symbol that tells us at
a glance, I don't want tograb my phone and scan. Well,
I mean that might be you.But apparently they did research and they found
that some people like what they callthe smart label program smartly and that's a
two steps the recycled check. Iguess they're moving away from that old little

(00:47):
gimmigo. And then it kind oflike, you know when the country had
the civil defense thing. You know, Okay, let's be honest, let's
be perfectly honest. On a scaleof one to ten, how would you
rate your recycling? Mine is prettygood? Really, like, yeah,
I have different I'm at about I'mat about a seven. I'll be hop
Okay, you know there are somestuff that I could recycle that I don't

(01:07):
because I don't really feel like washingit out, rinsing it out. My
mom, however, she would bea ten. She's a ten one an
award from Oh yeah, it's Christiefor her good recycling. Look, I
think that in our household it's avery basic situation. There are people that
go to extra lengths. I thinkthat if I had to scan something to
decide if it's recyclable, it's goingto make me less of what I am

(01:29):
right now. It's too many stepsfor me. If I can't know at
a glance, it's just not gonnahapp well. Horizon Organics and General Mills
are betting that you will pay attentionto this, and they're betting that they
can help to make the US recyclingrate of thirty two percent better. Oh
that's love it is now, that'sonly thirty cycle three out of ten people.

(01:51):
But I will concede. I don'tknow that I have time to screen
QR codes when I'm looking at boxes. Well, it's something I'm glad they're
trying. I'm glad they're trying toraise that thirty two percent to a higher
number. Like a I have abottle of zero sugar Snapple right now.
It's got a QR code on it. Do you think I'm really going to
scan it? No, the answeris I don't have time to scan it.

(02:13):
That's right. I want to drinkmy snapple. That recycle folks,
none of them. But I'll putit in the I'll put the plastic bottle
in the in the blue bin.Right ninety seven point one. Watch that
them with Toby and Chilly in themorning.