Innovative Recycling Market Platform Powered by Smart Logistics
In Ukraine and many European countries, recyclable waste from small, decentralised generators (such as condominiums, SMEs) rarely enters formal recycling streams. Despite strong regulatory frameworks in the EU and similar developments underway in Ukraine, the collection of low-volume recyclable waste remains inefficient, inaccessible, or economically unviable. As a result, millions of tonnes of valuable materials are still landfilled annually. This exposes a structural gap in the circular economy: the segment where most waste is generated is insufficiently served by existing logistics and digital infrastructure. Recycle UA LLC is a Ukrainian tech startup addressing this gap through the development of an integrated platform that enables small generators to sell recyclables in small quantities, and ensures economically-feasible delivery of such materials to the recycling companies. Its MVP, the Recycle Marketplace, is a digital platform where in addition to selling/buying, both parties can get autogenerated compliance documentation required by the regulations. The platform already serves 280+ clients in Ukraine and shows strong month-on-month growth. The SMART-REC project will scale this MVP into an integrated platform by developing and deploying its core innovation — the Smart Logistics Engine (SLE). Based on academically validated k-node optimisation models, SLE enables real-time micro-routing for on-demand recyclable collection. It works without sensors or hardware, factoring in vehicle capacity, material types, live updates, and re-planning logic. During the project, the models will be transformed into a production-grade algorithm, fully integrated into the platform backend and validated in live urban settings, moving the technology from TRL 4 to TRL 6. The project also covers business model refinement, EU market research, regulatory mapping, and IP strategy, ensuring the Recycle Platform is scalable internationally, compliant, and startup is investment-ready.
4/6 complete
Imported from OpenAIRE Ukraine | Grant 101312968.
Open sourceOverview
Grant agreement 101312968 | SMART-REC
Open sourceIn Ukraine and many European countries, recyclable waste from small, decentralised generators (such as condominiums, SMEs) rarely enters formal recycling streams. Despite strong regulatory frameworks in the EU and similar developments underway in Ukraine, the collection of low-volume recyclable waste remains inefficient, inaccessible, or economically unviable. As a result, millions of tonnes of valuable materials are still landfilled annually. This exposes a structural gap in the circular economy: the segment where most waste is generated is insufficiently served by existing logistics and digital infrastructure. Recycle UA LLC is a Ukrainian tech startup addressing this gap through the development of an integrated platform that enables small generators to sell recyclables in small quantities, and ensures economically-feasible delivery of such materials to the recycling companies. Its MVP, the Recycle Marketplace, is a digital platform where in addition to selling/buying, both parties can get autogenerated compliance documentation required by the regulations. The platform already serves 280+ clients in Ukraine and shows strong month-on-month growth. The SMART-REC project will scale this MVP into an integrated platform by developing and deploying its core innovation — the Smart Logistics Engine (SLE). Based on academically validated k-node optimisation models, SLE enables real-time micro-routing for on-demand recyclable collection. It works without sensors or hardware, factoring in vehicle capacity, material types, live updates, and re-planning logic. During the project, the models will be transformed into a production-grade algorithm, fully integrated into the platform backend and validated in live urban settings, moving the technology from TRL 4 to TRL 6. The project also covers business model refinement, EU market research, regulatory mapping, and IP strategy, ensuring the Recycle Platform is scalable internationally, compliant, and startup is investment-ready.