Redemption Closes in on “Clearing”

DRS Unique Value Add — Unit-Specific Tracking

Redemption, the podcast designed to save DRS, nears the end of its journey through A Guide to Modern Deposit Return Systems: 10 Essential Practices by examining the final one — Practice 10: Management of Material Flow & Financial Data.

A defining feature of modernized DRSs is using technological platforms to reconcile the number of empty beverage containers returned with those sold, as well as the refund of deposits against those collected. This not only establishes a high bar for transparency and accountability but also achieves something few waste or material management systems can: unit-specific tracking.

• Multiple benefits are achieved from the ability of DRSs to track each beverage container moving through the system:
• Enables efficient “clearing” — deposit containers registered at the point of sale get matched with those returned
• Establishes a required standard for transparency and accountability
• Maximizes visibility for producers, distributors, and system operators into the flow of money and materials within the system
• Creates a valuable database of information to inform future policymaking
• Supports government reporting on progress towards zero waste and climate goals
• This management of material flow and financial data through the “clearing” exercise is an essential operational function of DRS. All stakeholders stand to benefit from this practice.

To understand exactly how clearing works and why it matters so much, Redemption talked with Reloop CEO and Co-Founder Clarissa Morawski.

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