A Nepalese expat working as a security guard in the UAE has won a brand-new iPhone 15. Dipesh Chamlagain achieved this feat by recycling nearly 1,600 plastic bottles within a week.
This remarkable achievement was made possible thanks to a smart bin installed by Renie, a technology company, at Chamlagain’s workplace. Motivated by his concern for the environment and the reckless disposal of plastic, Chamlagain, with assistance from the housekeeping staff, began collecting and recycling bottles.
Before winning the iPhone 15, Chamlagain was using an iPhone 8 and had hoped to upgrade. The win not only fulfilled his wish but also strengthened his commitment to continue recycling, now aiming to help his colleagues win similar prizes.
Renie has been instrumental in promoting recycling in the UAE, with over 1,000 smart bins placed in various locations including the Burj Khalifa and Wafi Mall. These bins are linked to a user’s account on the Renie app, where each recycled bottle earns them a raffle ticket.
The initiative has gained significant traction, especially with the introduction of raffles offering prizes like PlayStation 5s, wireless earbuds, and fitness trackers. According to Sander Van Waes, founder of Renie, the approach is to incentivize recycling, which has successfully turned many participants into habitual recyclers.
The smart bins are designed to simplify the recycling process. When full, they signal waste management companies for collection. The collected plastic is then sold to recyclers. This system provides waste management companies with clean, sorted material, reducing the need for manual sorting and streamlining the recycling process.
Renie’s next raffle will offer another iPhone 15, continuing their efforts to promote environmental consciousness through incentivized recycling.