1. reporting on corporate social responsibility

2. 4 A Letter from the CEO
7 How to Measure Making a Difference
9 RecycleBank Mission Statement
13 Pleased to Meet You
23 The RecycleBank Family
27 Shades of Green
30 The 2008 Timeline
33 Stakeholders
41 RecycleBank and CSR
47 Environmental Performance
57 Social and Economic Performance
63 Environmental Education
Copyright © 2009 reCyCleBank, llC all rights reserved.
eXCept as speCiFiCally perMitted herein, no part oF this Book May Be reprodUCed, distriBUted, transMitted, displayed, 66 GRI Index Table
69
pUBlished or BroadCast in any ForM, or By any Means, WithoUt the prior Written perMission oF reCyCleBank, llC. Users are
not perMitted to ModiFy, distriBUte, pUBlish, transMit or Create derivative Works oF this Book, or any Material in this Book. Closing Remarks

3. LETTER FROM RON GONEN, CO-FOUNDER / CEO
In 2008, RecycleBank continued to demonstrate that environmental our members with access to a wide range of environmental information, and expand our
action on a large scale can begin today. From urban to suburban areas, rewards program in other green areas. Most importantly, we will continue to demonstrate that
from lower to upper income neighborhoods, RecycleBank rewards ‘eco’ is as much a part of ecology as it is a part of economy by continuing to reward hundreds of
households for recycling. Our service increased coverage from seven thousands of households for recycling.
states to 15. RecycleBank also continued to make a huge impact on
cleaning up the environment by diverting thousands of tons from RecycleBank is a partnership of households, municipalities, local and national businesses,
landfills into the recycling stream and back into the manufacturing and haulers. We all work together to preserve our natural and economic resources by recycling.
cycle, which resulted in significant savings of energy and our natural I would like to thank all of our partners for an exciting 2008 and for a strong platform for a
resources. RecycleBank further impacted local communities with our successful 2009.
rewards program, returning more than $2 million of value back into
cities and towns as a result of increased recycling. In addition, our
Green Schools Program, a partnership with the Coca-Cola Company,
recognized student’s efforts and gave $75,000 back to local schools for
environmental education.
Ron Gonen
As we head into 2009, RecycleBank is focused on growth. We expect to Co-Founder
triple the amount of households serviced, bringing the total members Chief Executive Officer
into the millions. We will expand the e-waste service we recently
launched, initiate a green content section on our website to provide
4 5

4. HOW TO MEASURE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The data represented in RecycleBank has done sustainability reporting
since our first year in 2005. Each year, we
this report covers the 2008 have more and more of a compelling story
calendar year. We use the about sustainability and green innovation to
Global Reporting Initiative share. We continue to report yearly on these
initiatives not to impress – and not to bore
(GRI) G3 Guidelines, which – but to have an honest and open dialogue
provide a recommended between RecycleBank and all of our key
framework and key indicators stakeholders on our progress, our growth, our
challenges, and our continued innovation.
for sustainability reporting.
Being an innovator means bringing a green
lifestyle to the everyday household. The
progress in this space has been tremendous –
in wind, solar, hybrid technology, and energy;
but we think that we also need to find things
that people can do today to make a difference.
Recycling is something that everybody can do
regardless of their socio-economic standing or
6 7

5. whether they live in an urban or suburban environment. RecycleBank OUR MISSION STATEMENT
brings the environmental movement to the average household.
Through our sustainability reporting, we, as a company, recognize
the following:
» We are doing well in terms of our environmental responsibility and how we
report it
RecycleBank is the premier green rewards
» We better understand our company responsibilities and how we impact the and loyalty program, motivating people to
world around us
» We better understand how the household impacts the environment and work to
recycle and experience a greener lifestyle.
reduce that impact
The following guiding principals help us to achieve this:
» What are we doing well
» Through education and innovation, make greener lifestyles available
» Where we can improve
by servicing every person in every community
» How we can attract and retain good talent
» Provide a great, safe, diverse, and fair place to work
So, please sit back and enjoy our straight-shooting, honest look at » Recognize that profitability is critical to our success and our ability to promote
ourselves, and remember it’s a journey we are very passionate about. social and environmental responsibility
We welcome your feedback and sharing of ideas.
FOR FOR NON
PROFIT BENEFIT PROFIT
3 Paul Miller
8 Brand & Marketing Project Coordinator
9

6. 4 75,000
Tons of recyclables taken from the waste stream Paid volunteer days Dollars received by local schools
46,298.27
employees receive for environmental programs
15
Number of states serviced Minimum amount of dollars saved for our Members through Point redemption
46,145,150
Number of RecycleBank reward partners The number of people serviced
1,088 651,000
The amount of RecycleBank Points redeemed for rewards The amount of dollars received in Venture Capital funding
4,355,906 30,000,000
10 11

7. PLEASED TO MEET YOU
RecycleBank rewards households
for the amount that they recycle.
It’s incredibly simple.
“So the homeowners save We sign a contract with a city or hauler to provide recycling service.
money, cities save money
as disposal costs go down Every home gets a large recycling cart that has an ID chip embedded
and RecycleBank wins by in it. We retrofit the trucks with technology to pick up recycling
collecting a share of the
containers, read the chips, identify that a home recycled, and gauge
cities savings.”
how much was recycled. We take that amount and translate the pounds
– Marc Gunther
Fortune Magazine into RecycleBank Points. Members can then log onto RecycleBank.com
and see each week that they recycled, how much was recycled, and
how many Points they earned. Members can then redeem those Points
for shopping at more than 1,000 local, regional, national, and online
stores. We’ve created a real time reward for the amount that a home
recycled. Members feel good, and best of all, they’ll recycle more.
3 Alex Macht
12 Cart Maintenance
13

8. BRAND AND DESIGN to evolve, change, and adapt to cultural BUSINESS DEvELOPMENT In 2009, RecycleBank will launch across
and operational practices everywhere we go. the pond in the U.K., and begin to reward
As a young company looking to build a global New ideas are additional ways for us to grow
RecycleBank is more than ready for non-curbside folks for green behaviors
brand that is authentic, compelling, and and profit. They allow us to remain ahead
the challenge. and actions. You can expect to see a
heartfelt, our brand team communicates the of the competition for us to sell and cross-sell
comprehensive way of looking at our
essence of RecycleBank. Our brand is organic, our goods to customers. Business
environmental footprint, both internally and
growing, and expanding with our every move. Bottles Earth development allows us to look at innovations
externally, including green house gasses and
We certainly know that at one time, all great and ideas in order to determine how much
the impact recycling has to the individual
brands were once infants – and with that in the idea will cost, how long it will take to
home. Stay tuned; the best is yet to come!
mind, we will continue to give our brand the implement, what the return on the investment
Plants
nurturing and energy to grow adept, large, will be, and other important considerations.
and strong as does our business. The brand Ocean The end result may be different than the “The easier you make it, the
team is responsible for all in-house design, forecast (most often it will be), but the more people will do it. I
totally think that when I’m
including: important thing is that serious thought
Sky considering whether to walk
» Consumer-facing communications is given to how the idea could be made that tin can to the street,
applicable before too much time and money this would give me that little
» Web design more incentive.”
is spent.
» Advertising (signage) – Kristin Archer
» Rewards
Canvas RecycleBank Member
Flower Currently, we’re conducting R&D on rewarding
» Hauler and municipality co-branding
multi-unit dwellings, such as apartments
» Promotional items Stone
and hi-rises. Other innovations include a
In 2009, we will enter the U.K. marketplace. model that rewards households for reducing
To build a global brand, we must preserve our their entire waste footprint, yard waste, and
core values and core purpose. We continue organics, and an expanded e-waste program.
5 2008 RecycleBank Pantone® Colors
14 Standardized brand colors for print production
15

9. Save Money Add
in Landfill Environmental
CUSTOMER CARE » Questions from businesses and municipalities Diversion Efficiencies
Increase Acquire New
How do you take an online concept and make » Calls from all over the globe about RecycleBank Household Customers
it work via a toll-free line? RecycleBank Recycling
This department will continue to grow as our
understands that our customer is everyone Increase
business grows. There will be a Customer Customer
and some are without means to own a Retention Build Brand
Care Centre in the U.K., use of IVR for quick Loyalty
computer. Our customer care team answers
and automated responses, and increases in Stimulate
every call by both existing members and
both hours and days of availability to keep up Local
those who read about us and wonder when Economy
with member needs. RecycleBank will work to
we are coming to their neighborhood. The
maintain the feel of ‘small’ as we grow ‘big’.
personal touch and the voice on the other
end of the line can make or break the member FINANCE
experience. We’ve also added customer care
The finance team translates all of our collective
reps fluent in Spanish. Moreover, we’ve MUNI HAULER MRF
actions, both internally and externally, and
changed hours to account for differing time
analyze the impact and/or associated risks.
zones. This has greatly helped the kind of care
This includes, but are certainly not limited to:
we can provide to our members. Customer
care includes: » Financial planning GOvERNMENT AND HAULER SALES
» Record keeping and payroll
» Account activation This team, strategically located across the U.S., in Canada, and in the U.K., is responsible for
» Financial reporting bringing in the households that make up the core of our rewards program. Mobilized to bring
» Reward redemption
» Reporting of finances to the board of directors in municipal, hauler, and MRF (Material Recovery Facility) accounts, this team spreads the
» Lost or forgotten passwords, account balances
word of RecycleBank and helps us to increase recycling in more places than ever before. Despite
» Q&A about any aspect of the program
the sluggish economy and downturn in recyclable commodities, they allowed us to reach our
» Missed account credits
household goal of nearly a million people serviced in 2008.
16 17

10. HUMAN RESOURCES RECYCLEBANK EMPLOYEE GENDER AND AGE BREAKDOWN* INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY more appealing. In addition, households
will have opportunity to maintain multiple
Keeping top of mind that good people make The information and technology team (a
accounts so that Mom, Dad, and the kids can
good organizations, our executive team saw highly intelligent geek-squad) is responsible
all participate. RecycleBank.com will become
the need for HR services. We grew from about for all of the technology systems that support
7.4% 50 –64 even more of a community.
45 employees to about 97 over the course of years old RecycleBank. These include:
(6)
2008. A Human Resources consultant was 3.6%
(3) » Management of our unique and patented front- MARKETING
brought on board part-time to help us foster end and back-end software EcoStrong, including
20%
The marketing team is responsible for
a culture of creativity and innovation by
35 –49 7.4% updates and iterations to the infrastructure and
network capabilities learning, understanding, creating,
continuing to hire excellent people, and then years old (6)
(16) » Development of strategic goals within budgeted communicating, and delivering on
giving them the freedom to do their job. The
plans and focus on ROI
consultant began with: RecycleBank’s messaging. In support of
» Company innovation development all business units in the organization, the
24% 25.2%
» Performance evaluation and management 25 – 34 » Analysis, reanalysis, and then the reworking of marketing team ensures that we are meeting
» Record keeping of all personnel data years old existing business processes
the needs of all of our customers by promoting
» Compensation, options, bonuses, etc., in liaison (19) (20) » Offering of new tools and resources for further both the passion and the purpose that is
with payroll information and technological knowledge
RecycleBank. Through a mix of strategy, a bit
» Insurance, 401k, disability 18– 24 In 2009, this team will build an engaging of psychology, a hint of sociology, and a pinch
» Confidential advice to employees in relation to 6.2% years old 6.2% interactive Web experience, complete with of economics, this team interacts with our
problems at work (5) (5) customer profiles, an environmental widget members through:
» Internal surveys
(to be Facebook compatible), added content
» Brand voice and DNA
MALE FEMALE and greater data reporting systems. The
» Direct mail and web
46 Employees 34 Employees ability for geo-targeting by zip code will
» Rewards
add local relevance to the site and make ads
*Based on an opt-in survey with 79 respondents
18 19

11. » Client marketing support OPERATIONS we stimulate local economies and motivate » Global brands that are category leaders in a
members to recycle. Data collection and variety of sectors (Kraft Foods, Coca-Cola, CVS/
» Online revenue
The operations team works closely on pharmacy, Kiss My Face, Target.com)
» Online content development reporting will expand and project managers
growing and implementing the bridge to our » Leaders in their commitment to environment /
» Public relations will increase strategically in support of
RecycleBank members – our curbside recycling community
growth.
» Communications program. With all the bells and whistles in » Those looking to educate their consumers on
» Corporate social responsibility tow, and sleeves rolled up, the operations creating a positive environmental lifestyle while
REWARDS AND SPONSORSHIP SALES building their own brand loyalty
» Relationship management team makes sure that everything is running
smoothly at all times. The operations team: The rewards and sponsorship sales team This is an area to watch for in 2009! Look for
» Community outreach events
works tirelessly to create a strong program sponsorships, travel, sweepstakes, local and
» School programming » Impacts RecycleBank development to municipalities
and haulers across the country that runs the gamut in rewards and donation national reward additions, a green credit card
In 2009, the marketing team will fill possibilities. Members work hard to earn and even more Point-earning opportunities.
» Develops implementation calendars
RecycleBank’s website with rich and inviting Points so the sales team works hard to get We anticipate a tiered level of reward
» Gathers local reward partners and does community
green content to greatly increase user outreach them the rewards they want. That means earnings as curbless memberships go live,
experience. If knowledge is power, then our locally, regionally, and nationally there giving people who don’t yet have a recycling
» Ensures smooth and seamless cart distribution and
members will be powerful! A new corporate retrofitting is something to make members happy. cart at their home the ability to earn Points
website will tell the RecycleBank story to future » Retrofits trucks with RecycleBank technology Groceries, gift cards, travel, merchandise, for positive green actions and behaviors.
stakeholders, communities, haulers, and MRFs entertainment, shopping, donations; both In addition, national partners will become
» Gathers and analyzes data
and assist our sales team in closing deals. There online and in store—you name it and we have international partners as we hire additional
will be a Spanish site and a U.K specific site that In 2009, operations will allow seamless
it. Our extraordinary selection of rewards and staff in the U.K. and add a full complement of
all extend the feeling that ‘RecycleBank is for scalability with staffing, reporting, and on-the-
donations fits members’ lifestyles and needs. U.K. Reward Partners to the mix.
someone like me.’ We will also engage in social ground support as household density climbs
The companies that this team seeks out to
networking media to enlarge the tentacles of our across the U.S. and into the U.K. The local
motivate members include:
community into the lives of our members. rewards teams will grow regionally to ensure
20 21

12. THE RECYCLEBANK FAMILY
Meet the many people that make up the RecycleBank family tree.
ExEcUtIvE tEAM cUStOMER cARE
Ron Gonen Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer Michael Strobel Customer Care Manager
Matt Tucker President Rowena Bullard Customer Care Representative
TBD Chief Financial Officer Karina Fernandez Customer Care Representative
Scott Lamb Chief Operations Officer Cheryl Gagne Customer Care Representative
Morley Ivers Chief Rewards Officer Cynthia Kruger Senior Integration Coordinator
Frank Yang Chief Technology Officer Kendra Morris Customer Care Representative
Sue Igoe Marketing VP
David Wigder Business Development VP
Jim Biggs
Preston Read
Government and Hauler Sales VP
Government Affairs SVP
FINANcE
TBD Chief Financial Officer
Alicia Mandelkow Executive Assistant Bob Hronsky Controller
Elizabeth LaDana General Accounting
Ken Anderson Accounting
Alice Maxfield Admin
3 RecycleBank Philadelphia Office
22 23
Earth Day 2008

13. gOvERNMENt AND MARkEtINg OPERAtIONS Beth Kean-Waddell
Karen Kim
Operations Director
Data Analyst
HAULER SALES Sue Igoe
Lisa Pomerantztz
Marketing VP
CSR / Communications / PR Director
Scott Lamb
Ramil Berner
Chief Operations Officer
Data Processor
Matthew Kozicki
Alex Macht
Community Outreach Coordinator
Cart Maintenance
Jim Biggs Government and Hauler Sales VP Monique Hartl Online Director Istvan Biro Field Service Engineer Bob Milligan Mid-Atlantic Region VP and GM
Rick Gaudette Gov. / Hauler Sales Programs & Channels VP Barani Guttsman Govt. and Hauler Marketing Director Gabe Cho Data Technician Atul Nanda Mid-West Region President, Canadian Division VP
Bill Wolfram Major Hauler Sales VP Jen Macartney Assistant Marketing Manager Joe Figliola Mid-Atlantic Account Manager Axel Newe VP of Operations & General Manager for CA
Tim Bowers Regional Manager Paul Miller Brand & Marketing Project Coordinator Kara Fitzpatrick Midwest Project Manager Sandra Newfield NE Marketing and Community Partnership Rep.
Anthony Casali Regional Manager Dante Meick Designer Rob Gensch Midwest Account Manager/Local Rewards Chuck Oyler NE Region VP and GM
Mike D’Angelo Regional Manager Maria Lotuffo Designer Meeta Sethna Gournay United Kingdom Director Dan Richman Project Manager
John Getzloff Regional Manager Teresa Wu Jr Designer Fred Hannon Southeast VP and GM Cameron Thorley Western Region Project Manager
Tom Hernandez Regional Manager Alexa du Pont Bell Online Revenue Eddie Haxihiu Cart Maintenance
Kim Jordan Regional Manager Tiffany Jorgensen Midwest Marketing & Community Partnership Rep.
Chuck Page Regional Manager
Andrew Korman Hauler Account Management Director
Judy Kenney
Michael Mazzaroni
South Central Regional Manager
NY & New England Regional Sales Director
REWARDS
Morley Ivers Chief Rewards Officer
Karen Vaites Rewards Accounts VP tEcHNOLOgY Abigail Grant
Linnea Hartsuyker
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
Sara Rosett
Nitin Shah
Business Analyst
Reporting Developer
Lala Musayev Addeo Rewards Director
Frank Yang Chief Technology Officer Kevin Hyland Developer/Analyst Harlan Stern Programmer/Analyst
Nina Rendelstein Rewards Manager
Abhishek Jain Technology Director Parul Jain Reporting Architecture Manager Travis Tilley Programmer/Analyst
Angela Kim Assistant Rewards Manager
Adam Becker Product Development Director Lorgio Jimenez Developer/Analyst Vadim Timoshpolsky Programmer/Analyst
Mike Book Account Manager
David Yang Application Architecture Manager Gulam Kahn Reporting Developer Grace Yang Business Analyst
Bob Staub Rewards Development Director
Sahana Appaji Business Analyst Mark Kassal Developer/Analyst Louis Zell Programmer/Analyst
Bridget Croke Rewards Development Director
Andy Brett Developer/Analyst Larry Kooper Programmer/Analyst
Aron Levinson Rewards Development Director
James Bui Systems Administrator Gus Mavromoustakos Programmer/Analyst
Azim Esmail Rewards Development Director
Dorren Chen Programmer/Analyst Soren Meischeid Business Analyst
John Smith Local Rewards National Manager
Yibin Cheung Technical Architecture Manager Samuel Obukwelu Programmer/Analyst
24 25

14. SHADES OF GREEN
SHADES OF GREEN
“The ultimate test of man's There is no one green thing out there in the cosmos that can stand
conscience may be his alone as the answer to the troubles we as ‘people on our planet’
willingness to sacrifice
something today for future are facing. We know that as long as there is a continued focus on
generations whose words the benefit of making a difference in the environment by people,
of thanks will not be
government, and corporations, then we all are in a much better place.
heard.”
Solar, wind, bio-diesel…the list is endless for future improvements.
– Gaylord Nelson
former governor of What about today? What about now?
Wisconsin, co-founder
of Earth Day
RecycleBank knows that recycling is something that cuts a slice across
“Technically, everybody
all ages, demographics, ethnicities, even partisanship. Recycling is
is supposed to recycle. something that the proverbial ‘You’ can do today and make a difference
But very few are doing
for tomorrow. Our service hits every home, everywhere, and we respect
everything they could.
There’s lots of room for each and every one of you along the way.
growth.”
– Bob Novak
Fortune Magazine
3 We respect the many shades of green
26 27

15. RecycleBank provides members with the tools
to get the job done. Single stream recycling
∫ The Green-o-meTer ∫
in a large, wheeled cart takes the confusion
BABY STEPPER ALWAYS AWARE
away, and rewarding your efforts, with the
Likes to recycle ONLY-IF-CONvENIENT LEANING GREEN Lives in the green
carrot and not the stick, encourages you to
and may want to space and considers
keep going. Ultimately, RecycleBank will learn more
Needs to have a cart Recycles and their environmental
assist you in making better environmental handy everywhere they go is becoming a footprint
concious consumer
choices along the way.
WHY RECYCLE? RECYCLER TO THE CORE
We see it happen internally and we see it Skeptical of Bona-Fide, Tree-huggin’,
happen externally. Pale green becomes sea the benefits of Granola-crunchin’ Recycler
Onlyvenien
en
Recycling that cheerleads all things
foam green. Kelly green turns to Kermit
Con
for Mother Earth
green. And yes, Kermit even improves to an
Gre
evergreen recycler extraordinaire!
-if-
We all have the potential and we all continue
Ba
ning
to make a difference.
e
by ar
St Aw
Where do you fall on The Green-O-Meter?
Lea
ep s
t
pe ay
r w
Al
Recycler
3 We know the carrot works better than the stick Why Recycle? To The Core
28 when promoting green behaviors
29

16. JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOvEMBER DECEMBER
The year starts Kraft named Official Evian joins RecycleBank RecycleBank brings RecycleBank heads Allied Waste RecycleBank heads Mayor Dave Munson RecycleBank and Rochester Hills, World Economic
off with 50 national Food Sponsor RecycleBank to bolster secures $30mm series in HR support for our to the Mid-West, announces national to Northern Virginia and kicks of RecycleBank Allied Waste launch in MI unanimously votes Forum announces that
and 320 local reward water Initiatives B funding ever growing staff launching in Omaha, NE Partnership with sees recycling volumes in Sioux Falls, South Twin Cities Metro Area, to bring residents RecycleBank is honored
partners Doug Lebda joins the RecycleBank nearly double with AAA Dakota with Novak Eden Prairie, MN RecycleBank as a 2009 Tech Pioneer
RecycleBank board RecycleBank Al Gore commends RecycleBank.com Hartford brings Sanitary Services
RecycleBank is in celebrates World Water Cherry Hill on their gets a whole new look RecycleBank to CT Second annual Montgomery first in Coca-Cola gives Launch of affiliate
7 states and 74,000 Kiosk Recycling Day Environmental Plan, residents company-wide retreat at RecycleBank heads OH to bring residents local Schools $75,000 redemptions
households Pilot begins at Columbia including RecycleBank the Mohonk Mountain to Lincoln, NE to partner RecycleBank, partnering on America Recycles
University House with RecycleLink with Rumpke Day in support of the Launch ActiveCause,
Fortune Magazine RecycleBank Green another donation
picks RecycleBank as 1 RecycleBank is E-Waste program Schools Program opportunity for our
of 11 Great Green Ideas honored as one of expands to include cell members bringing
Plenty’s 20 ideas phones, mp3 players RecycleBank goes dozens, and soon to be
Expansion RecycleBank changing the world and laptops citywide in Cherry Hill, NJ hundreds of non-profits
celebrates Earth Day into the donation mix
Rewards
Dr. Seuss’s “Horton
Environmental Hears a Who” joins forces
357,834 rewards were ordered 182 National and 906 Local Reward Partners with RecycleBank to
spread the environmental
2008 TIMELINE 46,145,150 Points were redeemed This is an increase of 266% and 233%, respectively, over 2007 messages of 20th Century
Fox Home Entertainment
This is an increase of 152% and 242%, respectively, over 2007 RecycleBank services 211,253 households across 15 states
30 31

17. STAKEHOLDERS
The RecycleBank program is built upon the
way we interact and form relationships as we
do business.
COMMUNITY / HOUSEHOLDS
“Thank you for your great It’s been a tough economy, and the recyclable commodities market fell
rewards programs to help drastically during the second half of 2008. What we’ve found is that the
out our family in this tough
economy!” recession, and our economic state, does not change the value proposition
– Jennifer Trickey RecycleBank offers communities. Our value is tied to increasing diversion
RecycleBank Member
from the landfills and providing incentives and rewards for recycling at
home. This in turn puts several wheels in motion:
» Residents earn Points for rewards which on average can save them hundreds of
dollars in reward value each year
» Local businesses see increased tickets and customer acquisition as residents begin
redeeming their reward; a natural way to build brand loyalty
» Communities save money in landfill diversion which can ultimately lower taxes and
stretch tight budgets for other community necessities
3 Nothing is more important » Communities are cleaner with a reduction in litter as more and more gets recycled
than the relationships we
form as we grow » The environment reaps the reward of saving our precious resources
32 33

18. COMPETITORS » We care; about our people, our communities, INvESTORS MEDIA
our planet
This ultimate form of flattery will only make Are we focused? With a good amount We strive to keep our story fresh and alive. One
» We want to hire the very best, smartest people
us better, stronger and more responsible – and treat each other well venture capital money to support our growth of the greatest things about the media and the
sure there will be competition at some point and expansion, considered a “hot green press, in general, is the way they help us to
» We are understandably a bit nervous about
in the future. That’s business and reality. At preserving our culture as we get bigger prospect” by Newsweek, and recognized in educate our RecycleBank members. They watch
the end of the day we’ve got to be the best at » We are all entrepreneurial BusinessWeek as one of Venture Capital’s us closely and they tell our story on national
what we do. Our goal is not to worry when favorite start-ups, we must be. In December as well as local scopes. We’ve had the pleasure
» Oh yeah, and we’re hard working
competition is coming; our goal is to provide 2008, we were notified that RecycleBank was of being in the company of Charles Gibson and
great service and to pursue an aggressive selected by the World Economic Forum as “ABC World News Tonight”, as well as CBS
HAULERS
growth plan that recognizes the importance of a 2009 Technology Pioneer. We earned this “The Early Show”, The BBC, CNN, Newsweek,
economies of scale. Are we building business and brand loyalty? distinction in the energy and environment Entrepreneur, Fortune, and AARP to name a few.
These days, it’s expensive for a city to send category. Technology Pioneers are recognized It’s truly been quite a year! A key to keeping
EMPLOYEES garbage to a landfill, so haulers and cities see for their accomplishments as innovators of our story fresh is our ability to have a story to
Do you like working here? Would you tell a RecycleBank as a value-add. The value in the the highest caliber and are companies with tell that fits into just about every section of a
friend? How are we treating you? We asked current economy of recyclables is not in the technologies that will have a deep impact on newspaper. We can speak to:
these questions of our growing staff, and we revenue generated, but in not having to pay business and society. » Customer acquisition as we sign on long-term
fared quite well. At our second annual retreat for disposal. That’s a key understanding that’s relationships with haulers and municipalities
at the Mohonk Mountain House in New York’s been missed by most people when they think Kleiner, Perkins, Caulfield and Byers, RRE » Local-announcement media outreach
Hudson Valley, we did a little digging to find about recycling today. When haulers offer our Ventures, The Westly Group and Sigma » Partner launches
out ‘What is a RecycleBanker’. Here is what we services, residents are able to get back not Partners are institutional shareholders. Ron
» Mayoral and council outreach
know: only what they pay for service collection, but Gonen, the co-founder and CEO, is the largest
» Department of public waste, industry, and trade
» We work really hard hundreds of additional dollars in reward value. individual shareholder.
» NGOs and non-profits of influence
» We all clearly know the mission and are passionate
34 35

19. NOTEWORTHY 2008 RECYCLEBANK MEDIA COVERAGE » Consumer references/testimonials our mission. This year, we spoke again at
» Education/awareness/activation their annual conference and had support from
» Customer engagement/brand them on a pilot program in Hartford, Conn.
» Recognition/attitudes We truly see the value of being a member
of an organization filled with leaders in the
Recycling industry, and opinion makers and
MUNICIPALITIES
shapers that span government, industry, and
RecycleBank works as a complete everyday folks like you and me.
environmental solution designed to help
77 393 338 municipalities with their residents and local
economy. In 2008, the economy brought a
In 2009 we will develop a way to leverage and
MEDIA MEDIA MEDIA establish governance with some key non-
HITS sudden need for cities and households to
HITS HITS profit organizations, both on a local and a
conserve cash. RecycleBank allows cities to national level. We have a plan and strategy in
save money through landfill diversion and place, and hope to report next year in greater
helps stimulate local economic development detail on the outcome of this plan.
with local reward redemptions. Some cities,
like Cherry Hill, N.J., are even using the REWARD PARTNERS
savings they get from having RecycleBank to (LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL)
fuel other environmental initiatives. In 2008, we had more than 1,000 reward
partners helping to motivate households
NON-PROFIT ORGANIzATIONS AND NGOS
across the country. From the local ‘Mom and
The National Recycling Coalition has always Pop’ shops, to regional grocery partners, to
been aligned and in-tune with our work and large national brands, we’ve been able to
BROADCAST PRINT ONLINE
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20. create a healthy program to satisfy the needs Reward Partners join RecycleBank for: LEARNING AS WE GROW In true RecycleBank spirit, we rose to the occasion.
of everyone who recycles with us. Putting Design quickly created a post card to remedy the
» Customer acquisition How do we understand community and what role
scenario adding a very sincere apology from our
extra food on the table, going to see a movie, we play in it? ‘Remember Revere’ is a phrase that
» Increased purchases with redemption president. Electronically, a file was sent to a Revere
enjoying dinner out, a luxurious massage, both haunts RecycleBankers and taught us a very
» Brand loyalty and affinity printer and a dozen RecycleBank employees, execs
a weekend getaway, or even donations to valuable lesson.
and all, headed for what is now referred to as the
» Awareness and ability to communicate
schools—we have something for everyone. Picture mid-July: RecycleBank is launching in “Midnight ride to fix Revere.” We woke up bright
corporate values
And what do all these places have in Revere, Mass., a new community. Like all launches, and early, ran to the printer and then literally hand
common? On some level, they all want to be a residents receive a letter from the Mayor explaining delivered the correct information to each and every
the RecycleBank program. Unfortunately for us, this address. Special kudos goes out to all who helped
good neighbor within their community. They
letter contained a critical typo that made its way to with that midnight ride…and special appreciation
want to be socially responsible and support
print. to the residents of Revere who thankfully, only
recycling efforts. chuckled at my gaffe.
At first glance, this seemed harmless. An ‘8’
became a ‘9’…could happen to anyone. Problem Lesson Learned? It’s not the size or the
For some, this is their first foray into the
is that the number was attached to our customer consequences of the mistake that matters. We are all
green movement. For others, participation care line. A bad experience here would leave a bad human and we will ultimately make mistakes along
in our program is a natural extension of the taste in anyone’s mouth. We had to fix this before it the journey. The key is how we react to remedy the
set of sustainable activities that support became a problem. situation. RecycleBank came together as a company
commitment to environment and local to make this bad situation right. And so it will go
Easy solution: Purchase the newly created number
down in the annals of RecycleBank history, we will
community. It’s a way of marketing locally, and have a seamless transition for all Revere
all, especially me, always ‘Remember Revere’.
but acting globally. residents. Great idea right! Well, someone else with
a more sinister motive had a similar idea and this Lisa Pomerantz, Director CSR and Communications
previously unused, harmless number quickly became
one of ‘those’ numbers (yes, you know the kind we
mean—very non-brand appropriate).
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21. RECYCLEBANK & CSR
SECOND NATURE
“I currently recycle and As a company who embraces environmentalism as our core and
think this program will accepts, without judgment, all shades of green, we are well aware of
add more excitement and
encouragement to families
our enormous responsibility to be environmental leaders.
recycling efforts across the
board.”
In 2008, we formed our very first Cross-Functional CSR Task Force to
– Greg Jasmer
RecycleBank Member
fully understand and implement the company’s internal and external
CSR needs. Our goals were hefty, and we had members from every
business unit, including the Executive Team. This was important in
“I feel you should look at
your footprint in life and order to weave the mission throughout everything we do and every
see the impact you are decision we make. We had passion, we had ideas, we had goals, but
having on the world.”
one thing we did not have on our side was enough hours in the day.
– Ron Gonan
Co-Founder / CEO
The team met only twice officially and then growth and expansion got
the better of us. Now, that does not mean in any way shape or form that
we let the company down in terms of sustainability. We still managed
to accomplish some amazing and noteworthy things.
3 Reuse in action – our kitchen
for-here-ware promotes less waste
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22. The new year will see the resurgence of the RecycleBank Rewards Program as a partner. EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES more than 60 million pounds of recyclables from
CSR Task Force Team and time will be carved, the waste stream, saving more than 600,000
» Added part-time HR consultant
We have created a task force to ‘debate’ the trees and over 45 million gallons of oil. These
etched, stolen if need be, to continue to make » Conducted employee satisfaction surveys (see environmental footprint metrics resulted in more
entry of any controversial partners.
our company sustainability goals a reality. RecycleBankers Speak, pg. 57) than $6 million in savings for municipalities in
2008.
COMMUNITY INvOLvEMENT
Here is what we accomplished against our ENvIRONMENTAL PROTECTION » Increased reward participation, with 46,145,150
We instituted a quarterly paid volunteer day Points redeemed by RecycleBank households;
goals in 2008.
available to all employees to allow us all the In an effort to darken our collective green, we: returning money directly back into the local
opportunity to do important charitable work economies in participating communities. This
ACCOUNTABILITY » No longer use standard batteries in the office.
number is up 242% over the previous year.
within our communities. The only caveat We are all rechargeable battery users now.
Additionally, 688 new local and national
As a company, we sought to address important
being that in Q2, we have an Earth Day focus. » Use Web based meetings and teleconferences to not RecycleBank Reward Partners signed on to take
social, environmental, and broader economic only reduce our collective carbon footprint, but for part in our mission to dramatically increase
Both the Philadelphia and the New York sites
issues in our core business strategy. economic reasons as well. household recycling rates, up 274% over 2007.
took part in office-wide events, building team
Local economic stimulation and sustainability morale and doing great work. The remote » Added recycling capabilities to our NYC office,
where they were previously lacking
were two of the most important topics we folks worked within their local communities.
» Keep lights off when rooms or offices are not in use.
dealt with when approaching municipalities.
We have a growing program called
» Constantly redesigned the architecture of our
We have created annual sustainability reports RecycleBank Green Schools, which printed collateral in order to conserve. All are
since the founding of our company in 2005. allows schools in RecycleBank-serviced printed on PCW papers and use soy based inks
where ever possible. Our business cards literally
areas to apply for environmental grants.
perforate into two cards in order to extend the life
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS Neighborhoods donate Points to the schools, and use less printing and paper.
Knowing we are only as good as the company and the Points then translate into real money
» More than doubled recycling rates in every
we keep, we began, and are still creating, a to fulfill the grants. community that deploys the RecycleBank program.
standards document for admittance into the To date, RecycleBank households have diverted
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23. ETHICS AND GOvERNANCE municipalities and 210,000 U.S. households in on to take part in RecycleBank’s mission to Donations Category to our members.
2008. RecycleBank is poised to grow by more dramatically increase household recycling ActiveCause allows our members to
We are pleased to report that we are a
than 100% in 2009. rates, up 274% over 2007. donate Points to charities and non-profit
company that yielded quality services with
organizations, both locally and nationally.
great results; treated our partners, vendors, Recognized in a December BusinessWeek as RecycleBank recently expanded the ability of
They simply choose a partner to donate to and
and employees fairly, and kept a clean slate “Venture Capital’s Favorite Startups”. their members to earn extra Points and help
RecycleBank pays the charities of choice with
on behavior. the environment through e-waste collection.
RecycleBank is a privately held business and does not real dollars.
RecycleBank has joined forces with Collective
We worked very hard to have clear, concise, disclose financial information.
Good, Gazelle, and Fl!pswap, who all have a
and transparent marketing collateral; and as We are indeed building a strong and vital CSR
PRODUCTS AND SERvICES like-minded mission to help the environment
little of it as possible, if we may add. foundation, and we can only continue
We developed and expanded our call center and uphold the highest environmental
We created and e-mailed our holiday greetings to improve!
with extended hours, hired Spanish-speaking standards. Members are prompted to enter
and well wishes in a effort to maintain the details of their devices including brand,
employees, and improved operational
‘print less, say more’ attitude . model, and condition, and then can download
efficiencies and metrics in order to ensure
We focused on internal stakeholder legendary service for our RecycleBank a postage-paid mailing label. Points are
issues such as service quality, customer Members. awarded and deposited in member accounts
satisfaction, employee wages and benefits, once the organization confirms receipt and
RecycleBank households redeemed 46,145,150 condition. More than 94% of the e-waste
and local community and environmental
Points for RecycleBank Rewards; returning devices that come in are refurbished and put
responsibilities.
money directly back into the local economies back into use. The other remaining 6% are
FINANCIAL RETURNS in participating communities through reward properly recycled.
redemption. This number is up 242% over the
We expanded service from 35 municipalities Towards the end of 2008, RecycleBank
previous year. Additionally, 688 new local and
and 100,000 homes in 2007 to more than 90 partnered with ActiveCause to offer a
national RecycleBank Reward Partners signed
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24. ENvIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
RecycleBank has a mission Our ability to ask our households to ‘green up’
means we need to keep house as well. ‘Green’
to increase recycling habits has become such a tired term in the natural
of homeowners across the lexicon of both the media and our daily
U.S. and the world. We want lives. We are happy to report that despite the
terminology, our shade is ever-evolving and
to be the undisputed deepening.
champion of recycling and
We live it and breathe it every day in the
green behaviors.
hopes of helping others on the green spectrum
of things. With that, we know that we are only
“Pollution is nothing but as good as our supply chain and vendors we
the resources we are not work with. We need to ensure that our vendors
harvesting. We allow them
to disperse because we've understand the expectations we have set in
been ignorant of their the world of sustainability. Here is how we
value.”
have fared for the year:
– R. Buckminster Fuller
Architect / Inventor
3 Our RecycleBank reward partners help to change the
cumulative shades of green of our members
46 47