happiness arcade. @cocacola @greygravy @cnet #recycle #awareness

The city of Dhaka in Bangladesh has a population of 15 million, a major refuse problem and very little awareness of recycling. Recently, the Coca-Cola Company and Grey Advertising stepped in with an attempt to make a difference - the "Happiness Arcade."

With a slot built to accept a plastic Coke, credits are issued to play "Happiness Arcade" when players recycle.

The Grey Group - Dhaka released six standalone arcade machines throughout the city for just six days and collected thousands of plastic bottles.  Those bottles were turned into pellets and reused to make other plastic products.

While some could argue that this is yet another campaign for the Coca Cola Company; the truth is, this simple little arcade game gave street wanders an opportunity to cash in on their sugar rush and learn to appreciate the value of an empty plastic bottle.

Regardless of its resemblance to Atari's Pong video game of the 80s, the recycling arcade machine concept may be rolled out in other parts of the world as part of a larger campaign to encourage recycling awareness.

Referenced from CNET.