Recycling in the UAE just got rewarding — literally. Thanks to Sparklo, an AI-powered cleantech startup, residents can now earn points for every plastic bottle or aluminium can they recycle using Sparklomat reverse vending machines.
Placed in high-traffic locations such as malls, ADNOC stations, LuLu Hypermarkets, and residential buildings, these smart machines instantly recognise recyclables (even without labels) and credit users with 10 points per item through the Sparklo app.
“Recycling should be intuitive and rewarding,” says Maxim Kaplevich, Sparklo’s Founder and CEO. “We flipped the traditional deposit system — instead of paying first and getting it back, users simply earn for doing the right thing.”
Users can redeem points for discounts on essentials like groceries (Carrefour), ride services (Yango), and food delivery, turning sustainability into real-life savings.
With over 280 machines across the UAE and 350,000+ active users, Sparklo has recycled more than 95 million items, helping avoid over 3.5 million kg of CO₂ emissions in 2024 alone. In Abu Dhabi, over 23 million items were recycled thanks in part to a strategic partnership with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi under its Single-Use Plastic Policy.
How it works:
- Find a Sparklomat (mall, fuel station, etc.)
- Drop in any bottle or can
- Open the Sparklo app to earn points instantly
- Redeem for real rewards
