recirculate systems

Who are Recirculate Systems?

Recirculate Systems is a fintech infrastructure company powering the circular economy. We enable businesses to replace single use packaging with reusable alternatives by attaching and redeeming deposits automatically through existing payment systems.

In simple terms, we make reuse work like single use. Customers tap as normal, a small deposit is added, and when the item is returned anywhere in the network, the refund goes back automatically. No apps, no queues, no behaviour change.

We sit between payment providers and reuse operators, creating the digital rails that allow circular systems to scale across venues, retail and hospitality environments.

What have you been up to in 2025?

2025 has been a year of validation and scale.

We have processed thousands of live reusable transactions in operational environments, including full single use replacement at football fixtures. We have expanded conversations with major venues and operators, including two major UK Airports, where we are developing a model capable of handling over 20 million reuses per year.

We have also progressed partnerships with reuse networks and payment stakeholders, positioning our software as the compliance layer ahead of incoming EU and UK reuse legislation.

On the funding side, we passed the one million pound mark in investment and strengthened our board with experienced technology entrepreneurs who understand how to scale platforms globally.

What are your plans for 2026?

2026 is about deployment and integration.

With EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation targets coming into force, businesses will need frictionless reuse systems that do not slow transactions. Our focus is on integrating directly with payment providers and scaling through venue groups, reuse networks and enterprise operators.

We are targeting large transport hubs, sports venues and hospitality estates where single use volumes are high and regulatory pressure is accelerating change.

Our ambition is to establish Recirculate as the default digital layer for reuse transactions in the UK and begin structured European expansion.

Do you think Essex is a good place for business?

Yes. Essex combines proximity to London with a strong independent business culture. There is a practical and entrepreneurial mindset here, particularly among SMEs, which makes it easier to pilot and iterate new ideas.

The county also benefits from strong transport links and growing investment in innovation. For a business building infrastructure that connects physical and digital systems, that ecosystem is valuable.

What are some minor first steps businesses can make to be more circular?

Start by measuring single use dependency. Most businesses underestimate how much disposable packaging flows through their operations.

From there, trial small scale reuse pilots in contained environments such as staff catering, events or specific product lines. The key is not to rely solely on goodwill or behaviour change. Circular systems succeed when they are designed to be the easiest option, not simply the most virtuous one.

What are the biggest operational challenges businesses face when transitioning to reuse, and how does your solution overcome them?

The biggest challenge is friction at the point of sale.

Traditional reuse systems rely on manual refunds, separate apps or reverse vending machines. All of these slow down transactions and create operational complexity. In high volume environments, that simply does not scale.

Recirculate integrates directly with payment infrastructure. The sale process remains unchanged. Deposits are added automatically and refunded automatically. By keeping the workflow identical to single use, adoption becomes commercially viable.

What strategies do you use to educate and onboard businesses that are hesitant?

We focus on commercial logic rather than environmental rhetoric.

Regulation is tightening across Europe, and Extended Producer Responsibility schemes are increasing the cost of single use. Reuse is not just a sustainability decision. It is becoming a compliance and cost management decision.

We demonstrate that circularity can be implemented without operational disruption, and that payment providers and venues can even see incremental transaction uplift through deposit flows.

What trends in circular economy and sustainability will disrupt consumer behaviour most?

Regulation will be the primary catalyst. The EU reuse mandates for takeaway packaging by 2030 will normalise reusable systems across everyday transactions.

Alongside this, digital product passports and traceability requirements will make circularity measurable and enforceable.

Consumers will not suddenly become radically different people. Instead, infrastructure will quietly change around them. The systems that succeed will be those that embed circular outcomes into existing habits, rather than attempting to redesign human behaviour from scratch.

We are proud to be building circular infrastructure from Essex with global ambition, and very grateful to be recognised as part of the Tech 50.

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