Heineken Returnable Bottle
WhatsApp Campaign
The Challenge
In 2024, Heineken South Africa deepened its commitment to sustainability with the launch of a returnable glass bottle system — a smart initiative aimed at reducing packaging waste and promoting a circular economy. To bring this to life, Heineken partnered with Techsys to design a campaign that would drive bottle returns, incentivise eco-conscious behaviour and build long-term consumer engagement.
Encourage Bottle Returns
Drive consumers to return glass bottles at participating outlets
Promote Sustainability
Build awareness around circular economy and environmental responsibility
Consumer Engagement
Create long-term engagement and brand loyalty through rewards

Our Solution
Consumers were encouraged to return their Heineken bottles at participating outlets. Each return was logged via a custom-built WhatsApp bot that tracked submissions and rewarded participants with instant prizes and draw entries.
WhatsApp Integration
Custom-built WhatsApp bot for seamless submission tracking and prize distribution
Instant Rewards
Immediate gratification with instant prizes and entry into larger prize draws
Outlet Network
Strategic partnership with participating retail locations for convenient bottle returns
Massive Impact, Minimal Friction
The campaign was a resounding success in driving both sustainability and engagement at scale.
"The Heineken Returnable Bottle campaign exemplifies how digital innovation can drive real-world sustainability. By leveraging WhatsApp's accessibility and combining it with instant rewards, we created a seamless experience that motivated consumers to participate in the circular economy. The impressive return rates and engagement levels demonstrate that when technology meets purpose, the impact can be transformative."
Neil Hutchinson
Head of Key Accounts
Technology Behind Success
Advanced WhatsApp API integration with custom reward systems and real-time tracking.
WhatsApp Business API
Custom bot development for automated interactions and prize management
Real-time Tracking
Live monitoring of bottle returns and reward distribution
Reward Management
Automated prize distribution and entry tracking system
Data Analytics
Comprehensive reporting on campaign performance and user engagement
Outlet Integration
Seamless connection with participating retail locations
Mobile Optimisation
Responsive design for perfect mobile user experience
Ready to Create Impact?
Let's build something amazing together that drives real results for your brand.