In recent years, the European Union has taken major steps to reduce plastic pollution. The EU Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/904), effective since July 2021, bans or restricts single-use plastic products and mandates a shift toward reusable alternatives. The Netherlands has implemented this directive with stricter national measures, especially for office environments.

Since 1 January 2024, it is no longer permitted to offer single-use plastic cups, including paper cups with plastic coatings, for drinks consumed on-site. This applies to offices, canteens, hospitality venues, and other locations where beverages are consumed at the premises. Businesses must now provide reusable alternatives, and for takeaway drinks, they are required to offer a reusable option and apply a surcharge for any disposable plastic cups used.

These regulations are transforming the way workplaces think about everyday items like coffee cups—and they’re driving demand for practical, scalable alternatives that reduce waste without adding complexity.

The challenge

Intelligent Reusables approached us with a clear challenge: to develop the software for a smart dispenser system that would allow users to register via their phones and easily dispense reusable cups. The goal was to create a seamless experience that made reuse more convenient than single-use plastic or even bringing one’s own cup.

What we delivered

We built a full-featured digital ecosystem that connects users, smart machines, and operations teams. At the heart of this system is a mobile app developed in React Native, which allows users to quickly register, log in, and interact with the dispenser by scanning a QR code to receive a clean reusable cup. The app also supports push notifications to remind users about returns or provide system updates, and includes WhatsApp Business integration for direct communication and support.

The back-end was developed in Java, using a PostgreSQL database to handle user accounts, transaction history, and stock levels across all dispenser locations. We also built a back-office dashboard that gives Intelligent Reusables real-time insights into system usage, refill needs, and maintenance alerts, empowering their operations team to manage the service efficiently and proactively.

Each dispenser and return bin setup is powered by a Raspberry Pi running a Go-based application. This application handles local logic for dispensing cups, tracks inventory levels, and communicates with the cloud to keep everything in sync. The result is a responsive, real-time system that connects hardware and software seamlessly.

Real-world pilot: Success in Belgium

To validate the solution, we supported a pilot at a client location in Belgium, where two dispenser and bin installations were deployed. The feedback from users was overwhelmingly positive. Many reported that they found the system more convenient than bringing and washing their own cups. They appreciated that it worked reliably, was easy to use, and aligned with their values around sustainability. The combination of convenience and environmental impact proved to be a compelling alternative to single-use options.

Enabling the circular office

With the enforcement of EU regulations and growing awareness about the environmental impact of disposables, workplaces are now seeking smarter, more sustainable solutions. Intelligent Reusables has created a system that not only complies with the latest legislation but offers a better experience for users. Our software plays a key role in enabling that system to scale—from pilot programs to broader adoption across offices and public spaces.

What’s next?

Following the success of the pilot, Intelligent Reusables is preparing for a wider rollout. The system is designed to scale easily, with a robust architecture that supports real-time monitoring, smart refill scheduling, and a frictionless user experience. We're proud to support their mission and excited to see this technology help more organizations reduce plastic waste at the source.

If you're building a sustainable product and looking for a technology partner to bring it to life, we’d love to hear from you.

Meet the new energy entrepreneurs

Alex, a suburban homeowner, never imagined his rooftop solar panels and home battery could do more than shave a few dollars off his monthly bill. He assumed that once the panels were installed and the appliances switched to “eco mode,” his part was done. Maria, who runs a family‑owned café downtown, focused solely on steady supply and predictable rates—green energy seemed complicated and out of reach.

What Alex and Maria both didn’t realize is that by joining a Virtual Power Plant & (Home) Energy Management System (VPP/(H)EMS), they could turn passive assets into active revenue streams. Instead of simply consuming power, they’d become micro‑grid players: generating, storing, and trading electricity on a dynamic platform—all while lowering their own costs.

Turning assets into opportunity

Imagine Alex’s roof as a mini power station. On sunny afternoons, his solar array produces more energy than his family needs. Rather than sending that surplus back into the void, the VPP/(H)EMS bundles Alex’s excess with thousands of other homes. Together, they bid into ancillary‑services markets—helping the grid balance frequency and voltage. In practice, Alex sees on his dashboard exactly when to store energy in his battery, sell it back to the grid at peak rates, or shift his dishwasher and EV charger to off‑peak hours. His family’s bills drop by 20–30%, and every kilowatt they sell helps avoid firing up a costly, carbon‑spewing peaker plant.

Down the road, Maria’s café taps into the same platform. She programs the VPP to reduce coffee‑machine usage by 10% during morning peak, then automatically ramps it back up when rates fall. Before long, her predictable demand‑response payments offset her monthly supply costs, all while promoting a “green café” image that draws eco‑minded customers.

Why governments and providers are paying attention

For policymakers and utilities, the promise is irresistible: instead of pouring billions into transmission towers that sit idle 80% of the time, they can harness distributed resources to fill capacity gaps on demand. This approach slashes capital expenditures, accelerates integration of wind and solar, and helps countries lock in CO₂‑reduction targets years ahead of schedule. Real‑time data from the VPP/(H)EMS also empowers regulators to craft smarter dynamic‑tariff programs and reward participants for flexibility, rather than forcing everyone onto one‑size‑fits‑all pricing.

Energy providers, too, gain a new frontier of services. By operating the VPP as a platform, they reduce balancing costs, smooth peak loads, and open fresh revenue channels—selling grid‑stabilization services and green‑energy contracts to clients who once felt shut out of the market.

A win‑win‑win for capacity, costs, and carbon

The numbers speak for themselves: virtual power aggregation can defer the need for new peaker plants for years, cutting capital burdens by up to 40%. Consumers like Alex and Maria routinely see 20–30% savings on bills, plus extra income from selling flexibility. And on a system‑wide level, optimized dispatch of distributed assets can knock 10–15% off total power‑sector CO₂ emissions—an essential wedge if governments are to meet Paris‑aligned goals.

Ready to activate the power in your community?

For government agencies mapping future infrastructure and energy providers seeking to reinvent their offerings, the message is clear: the next big resource isn’t underground—it’s on rooftops, in basements, and behind meter screens. By unlocking the VPP/(H)EMS pathway, we can ensure reliable capacity, cut costs for everyone, and usher in a greener, more resilient energy era—one home and one business at a time.

Curious how your jurisdiction or company can pilot this? Reach out to learn how VPP/(H)EMS platforms are already transforming grids around the world—and how you can be the catalyst in your region.