Disrupting Waste with Web3: Eric Schaffner’s ZeLoop is Gamifying Sustainability

In a time when plastic pollution is one of the most pressing threats to our environment, few have dared to bridge advanced blockchain technology with grassroots activism as boldly as Eric Schaffner. With a career spanning global leadership roles in packaging innovation and sustainability, Eric transitioned from the corporate world into a mission-driven role: the creation of ZeLoop. Launched with the vision of rewarding eco-friendly behavior through blockchain-based incentives, ZeLoop empowers individuals to make a difference—one plastic bottle at a time.

ZeLoop is more than an app; it’s a movement. The platform gamifies waste collection, offers crypto-based Eco Reward Tokens (ERW), and inspires a global community of “ZeLoopians” to clean their environment while being transparently rewarded for it. Through features like plogging (clean walking), eco-missions, leaderboards, and a soon-to-expand Plastic Credit program, ZeLoop blends behavioral science, blockchain transparency, and environmental advocacy into a seamless, user-friendly ecosystem.

In this exclusive interview, we speak with Eric Schaffner to explore the personal inspirations, strategic pivots, and bold innovations that shaped ZeLoop into what it is today.

TFS: Eric, thank you so much for joining us today. It’s truly inspiring to witness how ZeLoop is tackling plastic pollution with such a futuristic and inclusive approach. To kick things off, let’s start from the beginning.

Eric Schaffner: Thank you! It’s a pleasure to be here and share more about our journey. ZeLoop was born out of a deep desire to reconnect individual actions with global impact. The problem of plastic pollution is massive, but we believe that empowering individuals at the grassroots level can create a ripple effect of meaningful change.

TFS: What personal experience or moment of clarity inspired you to merge blockchain technology with grassroots waste-collection efforts?

Eric: The defining moment came when I realized how fragmented the waste-collection ecosystem truly was. While individuals were making efforts to recycle, there was often no feedback loop—no way to measure or reward their contributions. It felt like a thankless task for many.

My background in the packaging industry had shown me the potential for technology to transform systems, but I also understood that innovation needed to be relatable to the everyday person. That’s when blockchain entered the picture. Its ability to offer immutable records and decentralized incentives was the missing link. By integrating blockchain, we could ensure transparency, build trust, and offer traceable rewards that people could rely on.

So, rather than recycling being a silent effort, it became something that could be acknowledged, rewarded, and tracked on a public ledger. This fusion of grassroots action with advanced tech was the ‘aha’ moment that launched ZeLoop.

TFS: How do you balance cutting-edge blockchain architecture with the simple, human act of picking up litter?

Eric: That balance is at the very core of our design philosophy. We made a deliberate choice to abstract away the complexity of blockchain. Our users don’t need to understand smart contracts or tokenomics. Instead, they experience a seamless, gamified app that rewards them for eco-actions.

Blockchain operates behind the scenes, managing transactions, ensuring fairness, and securing data. This invisible architecture guarantees that actions like recycling a bottle or completing an eco-mission are transparently recorded and rewarded.

The human experience remains front and center—whether it’s the satisfaction of logging an action, seeing your progress on a leaderboard, or unlocking a reward. The tech elevates the experience without interfering with it.

TFS: In a world skeptical of cryptocurrencies, how does ZeLoop’s token model transcend mere speculation and become a genuine motivator for environmental action?

Eric: Skepticism around crypto often arises from its association with volatility and speculative trading. At ZeLoop, we’ve deliberately positioned our Eco Reward Tokens (ERW) differently. Our tokens are earned through concrete, verifiable eco-actions—recycling plastic bottles, joining challenges, or engaging in plogging.

These tokens have direct utility. They can be exchanged for discounts, redeemed for eco-friendly products, or even traded for stablecoins like USDT. This linkage to real-world actions and rewards detaches ERW from pure speculation.

Moreover, we’ve not relied on hype or marketing gimmicks. The adoption and traction we’ve seen are entirely organic, driven by genuine user engagement and environmental commitment. Our model incentivizes behavior change, not FOMO.

TFS: Which game-design principle has proven most surprising or effective in driving real-world behavior change among ZeLoopians?

Eric: Without a doubt, it’s the principle of competition. When we introduced eco-missions—timed challenges with real rewards—we noticed a surge in participation. Leaderboards took things further by creating a sense of friendly rivalry. Users loved tracking their ranking, comparing progress, and striving to be the best contributor in their region.

But it wasn’t just about winning; it was about visibility. Our app visualizes the environmental impact of users’ actions—like the equivalent carbon footprint saved—which makes the effort feel tangible. The psychological boost from seeing your contribution quantified is powerful. It validates their effort and motivates them to do more.

We’ve seen firsthand how gamification, when rooted in purpose, can drive sustained behavioral change.

TFS: ZeLoop maps deposit points globally — what’s the most unexpected location where a ZeLoop community has sprung up?

Eric: One of the most surprising and heartwarming stories comes from a remote village in Southeast Asia. There, residents adopted ZeLoop to tackle the plastic pollution choking their riverbanks. Despite limited tech infrastructure, the community organized collection efforts and began using the app to log their actions.

Another symbolic milestone was placing a sorting bin in the Vatican in Rome. It might not be remote, but the significance was profound. It signaled that even the most traditional institutions are willing to embrace modern sustainability efforts.

These stories underscore the universal nature of environmental stewardship. Technology can empower any community—regardless of geography or resources—to make a real difference.

TFS: You’ve envisioned ZeLoop as a platform for other eco-friendly apps. What’s the next vertical you’re most excited to integrate, and why?

Eric: We’re extremely excited about scaling our ZeLoop Plastic Credit program. This initiative turns collected plastic into NFT certificates that represent a quantifiable environmental impact. Companies can purchase these credits to offset their plastic footprint, all recorded transparently on the blockchain.

What excites us most is the integration of these credits into the app. Users who contribute to plastic recovery can be rewarded with credits or exclusive perks. This creates a direct link between individual action and corporate ESG efforts.

It transforms recycling from a solo act into a system of shared value—aligning individual purpose with business responsibility. It’s not just another feature; it’s the next frontier of our mission.

TFS: Which metric — tonnage of waste, active users, token circulation, or something else — best captures ZeLoop’s environmental success?

Eric: All of those metrics are important, but if we had to pick one, it would be the tonnage of waste collected, especially the number of plastic bottles diverted from nature. This is the most direct, tangible proof of our impact.

Active users tell us about engagement. Token circulation reflects system health. But when we see thousands of kilos of plastic collected and tracked through our platform, that’s when we know we’re truly making a difference.

It’s not just numbers—it’s a visible reduction in pollution, a cleaner environment, and a more aware community.

TFS: Can you share a standout story of an everyday hero whose journey through ZeLoop shifted their perspective on consumption and waste?

Eric: One story that continues to inspire us is Rishabh’s. At just 14 years old, he participated in an eco-mission and emerged as a top contributor. His dedication went beyond the app—he became a ZeLoop ambassador and founded his own sustainability movement called Going Green Dubai.

Rishabh now speaks at events, organizes clean-ups, and mentors peers on sustainability. He embodies what we hope every ZeLoopian becomes—an agent of change. His journey shows that when you empower youth with the right tools, they can become powerful catalysts for community transformation.

TFS: How do you coax traditional CSR programs to adopt a blockchain-based rewards system without overwhelming their teams?

Eric: Our approach is to eliminate complexity for our partners. We offer a turnkey solution—we manage the blockchain backend, handle the tokenomics, and provide intuitive dashboards.

CSR teams simply define their sustainability goals, and we customize the experience for them. Whether it’s engaging employees in eco-missions or tracking waste reduction, our system is plug-and-play.

We also educate partners on the transparency benefits—how every eco-action is logged, immutable, and traceable. It’s about showing how blockchain enhances trust and accountability without burdening operations.

TFS: What’s been your biggest regulatory hurdle when rolling out crypto rewards for waste collection, and how did you navigate it?

Eric: Cryptocurrency regulations are a moving target, and they vary widely from one country to another. Our biggest challenge was ensuring that our token model didn’t fall foul of financial regulations.

We tackled this by localizing our compliance strategy. We work with legal advisors in each region and focus on the environmental utility of our tokens, rather than promoting them as financial instruments.

By clearly defining the Eco Reward Token as a tool for engagement—not speculation—we’ve managed to stay within regulatory boundaries while still delivering value to users.

11. How do you ensure ZeLoop remains accessible and rewarding for users in regions with limited smartphone or internet access?

Eric: Accessibility is a priority for us. The app is optimized to run smoothly on older devices and in low-bandwidth environments. Beyond tech, we also explore offline integrations.

In Nigeria, we launched a pilot called ZeLoop Aggregator Plus™. It allows certain users to act as local aggregators—collecting waste from their communities and earning extra income via contracts with recyclers.

This decentralizes the model, empowers micro-entrepreneurs, and ensures the system reaches users who may otherwise be excluded due to digital barriers.

TFS: What trade-offs have you wrestled with between token scarcity, reward frequency, and maintaining a healthy token economy?

Eric: It’s a delicate balance. If we issue too many tokens, we risk devaluing them. Too few, and user motivation suffers. We’ve found success by tying issuance directly to verified eco-actions. This ensures that every token represents real environmental value.

We regularly tweak reward thresholds and redemption rates based on user feedback and market analysis. It’s an evolving system, but the guiding principle remains: align rewards with impact.

TFS: Imagine it’s 2030: what does a litter-free world powered by ZeLoop look and feel like to its users?

Eric: In 2030, ZeLoop is no longer just an app—it’s a lifestyle companion. Users interact with smart recycling bins that instantly credit their account. Cities showcase leaderboards in public spaces. Kids learn eco-values through school-integrated missions.

Plastic litter becomes rare, not because of bans, but because people are motivated, engaged, and rewarded for doing the right thing. Sustainability is celebrated, social, and systemic.

TFS: Have you ever needed to take ZeLoop in a radically different direction based on early user feedback or unforeseen challenges? What did that pivot teach you?

Eric: Yes—our pivot to the plogging feature was a direct response to feedback. Many users lacked access to collection points, which limited their participation. So we thought: why not reward people for collecting litter wherever they walk?

Plogging allowed users to earn rewards for steps taken while cleaning up trash. It was a simple idea, but it removed a huge barrier to entry and expanded our impact significantly.

That experience taught us the value of agility. Listening deeply to users and adapting quickly is what keeps the platform relevant and effective.

TFS: For emerging founders who want to blend sustainability with emerging tech, what one piece of unconventional advice would you offer?

Eric: My advice would be this: don’t fall in love with your first idea. Tech and sustainability are fluid, evolving spaces. The solution that works today might not work tomorrow.

Stay open, adaptable, and most importantly—resilient. You’ll face skepticism, especially from organizations that prioritize short-term returns. But if your mission is strong and your community is engaged, you’ll find a way forward.

TFS: Eric, this has been an incredibly enriching conversation. Your insights not only shed light on the evolution of ZeLoop but also inspire a whole new way of thinking about sustainability, incentives, and tech.

Eric: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure to reflect on our journey and share what we’re building. ZeLoop is ultimately about collective action—individuals, businesses, and communities coming together. We’re just getting started.

TFS: We look forward to seeing how ZeLoop continues to evolve and shape a cleaner, smarter world. Until next time—keep leading the way toward a more sustainable planet.

Eric: Absolutely. Let’s keep walking—and cleaning—the path forward.