OUR Mission:

to rid the planet of single-use plastic

We’re starting a reTURNable revolution. Will you join?

Single-use plastics are an environmental catastrophe, on par with deforestation and biodiversity loss. We believe that ridding the planet of single-use plastic requires a revolutionary approach – and that’s why we founded TURN Systems. We say that music is in our DNA because the idea for TURN was born when we saw the immense quantities of trash thrown away at music festivals and concerts. We loved the atmosphere and energy of live music events, but we hated the environmental consequences that came with them. What if, we thought, we could develop a system that would allow festival goers to enjoy themselves in a more sustainable way?  

TURN’s basic philosophy is simple: If consumers reTURN empty cups for reuse, WAY less plastic waste will be produced and disposed of inappropriately. What makes TURN’s system unique is its scalability and the incentive structure it creates for consumers to reTURN cups. No other reuse system caters so seamlessly for both large scale events like music festivals and sports matches and for venues like airports and shopping centers. Our growing team combines environmental, design, and engineering expertise with a love of all things sustainable. By embracing systems thinking and the principle of circularity, we are starting a reTURNable revolution.

fact:
only 9% of
global recycling has ever been processed

Our system is flexible, user-focused, and fun!

We understand that reuse will only become the new normal if it’s easier and more rewarding than throwing stuff away.
Incentives drive human behavior. You cannot change people’s behavior without changing the incentive structures embedded in social and economic systems. For TURN, that meant developing a system that would make it easier and more rewarding to reuse cups than to toss them in the trash. Most people want to lessen their impact on the environment. But if you’re at a festival or business where you can only buy drinks in disposable cups, what choice do you have? TURN’s system provides an alternative to throw away culture that rewards consumers for making sustainable choices. And it makes it easier than ever for events and businesses to offer such choices.
fact:
only 9% of
global recycling has ever been processed

Our system is flexible, user-focused, and fun!

We understand that reuse will only become the new normal if it’s easier and more rewarding than throwing stuff away.
Incentives drive human behavior. You cannot change people’s behavior without changing the incentive structures embedded in social and economic systems. For TURN, that meant developing a system that would make it easier and more rewarding to reuse cups than to toss them in the trash. Most people want to lessen their impact on the environment. But if you’re at a festival or business where you can only buy drinks in disposable cups, what choice do you have? TURN’s system provides an alternative to throw away culture that rewards consumers for making sustainable choices. And it makes it easier than ever for events and businesses to offer such choices.

The turn system in action

@turn

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OUR TURN FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Whether they’re made from stainless steel or polypropylene, our reusable cups dramatically outperform single-use alternatives across all environmental metrics
At TURN, we don’t just claim to be sustainability superstars. We have proof. Researchers at the University of St. Thomas conducted a life-cycle analysis of single-use versus reusable cups at events. They found that reusable cups made from stainless steel and polypropylene have a lower environmental impact than any type of single-use cup if they’re washed and reused a mere six times. To put that in perspective, TURN cups can be reused 120 times on average! How can you argue with that sort of evidence?

Fact: TURN CUPS ARE MADE FROM POLYPROPYLENE, ALUMINUM, OR STAINLESS STEEL AND ARE RECYCLED AT THE END OF THEIR EXCEPTIONALLY LONG LIVES

03
IS THE “ENVIRONMENTAL BREAK EVEN NUMBER” OF OUR CUPS
TURN cups only need to be used three times before they outperform single-use materials across energy, CO2, and other metrics of environmental impact.
120
IS THE “AVERAGE LIFESPAN” OF A TURN CUP
Humans measure their lifespans in years. We measure our cups’ lifespans in “times used.” Because they’re of such high quality, TURN cups can be used 120 times on average before they’re recycled.
09
IS THE PERCENTAGE OF ALL PLASTICS EVER MADE THAT HAS BEEN RECYCLED
Recycling has a reputation for being a sustainable thing to do. But reuse is WAY more sustainable than recycling ever will be, especially when you consider that most plastic never gets recycled.
50k
IS THE NUMBER OF DISPOSABLE CUPS SAVED BY USING TURN’S SYSTEM AT AN AVERAGE EVENT
Events like music festivals produce mountains of trash, literally. Event organizers can save huge amounts of single-use plastic from ending up where it doesn’t belong simply by using TURN Systems.

testimonials

  • "I’m excited to see Live Nation taking their commitment to reduce plastic pollution to the next level by launching reusable cup programs at some of their concert venues this summer. It’s inspiring to see a music industry effort to offer alternatives to single-use plastic and to give music fans the option to choose reusables.”
    JACK JohNSON
  • “We are stoked to partner with Live Nation to promote a more sustainable touring environment, where our fans will leave behind a smaller footprint across several venues this summer and for many more to come. Reusable materials can be a wholly more sustainable and enjoyable experience and we hope to see this innovative program rolled out in more venues soon.”
    5 seconds of summer

Backed by the best

join the movement

  • Backed by the music industry

    TURN is backed by highly regarded tech investment firm Sound Ventures, under their new sustainability vehicle SOUNDWaves. We benefit from the direct guidance of General Partners Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary.

  • Bjarke Ingels Group

    To meet the demands of the future, we partnered with the very best in the global design space. Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has overseen conceptual design and engineering of our system, turning our revolutionary ideas into material realities. From drinkware and collection bins to transportable washing systems, BIG’s human-centered design expertise has produced hardware of unmatched quality. 

  • Most innovative REuse company 2021

    Forget the Oscars. TURN received a nomination for Most Innovative Reuse Company at the 2021 “Reusies.” Celebrating pioneers, trailblazers, and game-changing innovators in the reuse space, the Reusies are all about shining a light on alternatives to throw-away culture. 

  • AB Inbev

    TURN was selected by world-leader beer makers AB InBev to join their 100+ Accelerator Program, which identifies partners to deliver breakthrough advances in the sustainability challenges facing the firm. Our coveted partnership with AB InBev focuses on circular solutions to eliminate single-use plastic from across their entire production line and portfolio.