Kolekt is a global, multi-language waste-recovery app that connects informal collectors, recyclers and brands to trade and trace recyclable materials, enable payments (including unbanked users) and verify recovered tonnes via an exchange for waste recovery certificates.

Circularity Relevance

Core
Kolekt's core functionality is trading and tracing recyclable materials, enabling payments and verification of recovered tonnes - explicitly circular economy activity. Source: Kolekt, 2025

Circular Role

DirectEnabler
Kolekt directly hosts transactions, traceability and payments between waste collectors, recyclers and brands (it operates the app and exchange). Source: Kolekt, 2025

Circular Type

Marketplace
Products
C2B
B2B
Kolekt operates an app and an Exchange to buy/sell recyclable materials (physical products) and connects collectors (often individual/consumer-level) to businesses (recyclers, brands) as well as B2B matches for brands purchasing verified tonnes. Source: Kolekt, 2025

R Strategy

R8 - Recycle
Primary focus is on recovery and recycling of materials (verified recycled tonnes and increasing recycling capacity). Evidence on site emphasises recovered/recycled tonnes and recycling capacity. Source: Kolekt, 2025

Circular Business Model

Take-back / Buy-back, Circular Logistics
Platform coordinates collection, payments and sale of recovered materials (buy-back / take-back) and organises reverse/collection logistics between collectors, recyclers and brands. Source: Kolekt, 2025

Organisational Type

ForProfit
Kolekt is presented as a Dutch start-up and the privacy policy references Circular Action BV (a private company). However Kolekt is part of the BVRio group (a non-profit), so entity structure is mixed; classification as ForProfit is inferred from the BV legal form. [Source: Kolekt, 2025; BVRio]

Sector

Waste Management & Recycling
Website describes Kolekt as a waste recovery solution and shows services for collectors, recyclers and brands focused on recycling and recovered tonnes. Source: Kolekt, 2025

Geographical Reach

International
Netherlands
Site lists Netherlands (HQ) plus Brazil, India, United Kingdom, Mozambique, Indonesia and Vietnam as operating countries, indicating multi-country operations. Source: Kolekt, 2025

Hardware Component

None
Kolekt is a software platform (mobile/web app) and does not supply or depend on specialised physical hardware to operate; it supports users with and without smartphones. Source: Kolekt, 2025

Tech Map Relevance

Kolekt is explicitly a digital waste-recovery marketplace and exchange that enables material trading, traceability and payments - directly relevant to circular economy digital enablers. Source: Kolekt, 2025

Enablers are initially categorised by an AI agent, then verified by a real human.
Suggestions or corrections are most welcome.

Suggest Correction
Added: 21 Feb 2025
Updated: 22 Oct 2025