Ship it, scan it, send it back around.
The proposed design: one continuous record for a physical thing — from the vendor's shelf, to your door, to the recovery point, and back into circulation.
A vendor ships in Circle Back packaging.
The proposed workflow, stage by stage.
Ship
Pilot vendors ship orders in Circle Back packaging. Each unit is registered before it leaves: material type, size and owner.
- Reusable boxes, mailers, and recoverable inserts
- Each unit carries its own Circle Back code
- Vendor view of packaging out in the field (in testing)
Scan
The customer scans the tag when the order arrives. That single scan opens the return options and starts the recovery window.
- Works in any phone browser — no app download
- No account needed to see your return options
- Sign in only when you want to collect points
Return
Three return routes are being tested. Availability depends on where the pilot runs.
- Drop-off at a recovery point (where available)
- Mail-in label (being tested)
- Neighborhood pickup (proposed)
Recover
The plan: each handoff is scanned, so the record follows the material.
- Chain of custody at each scan: who, where, when
- Condition graded on check-in
- Sorted for reuse, repurposing, resale or recycling
Reward
We're testing Circle Points as a thank-you once an item is verified. Values aren't confirmed.
- Points scale with material type and condition
- Redemption with vendors (in development)
- Vendors see the loyalty they funded, item by item
One package. One record. Many trips.
The proposed design: each tracked unit keeps one ID from the vendor's shelf to its next life. Tap a stage to see what happens there.
Vendor
The box is registered to the vendor and tagged with a Circle Back code before it ships.
Stage 1 of 9 — the same unit throughout.
Find Circle Back near you.
Coverage grows one neighborhood at a time. Enter your ZIP to see what's actually running there today.
We'll show drop-off spots, pickup availability, participating vendors, and accepted materials for your area — and nothing we can't verify.
Available materials vary by vendor, location, and recovery network.