AWARE: Smart Refill Systems to Cut Plastic Waste and Promote Sustainable Water Consumption
Project Name: AWARE
Acronym: AWARE
Participating Companies: AWAYTER S.L. (Lead SME), Hostel Palma 2014 S.L. (Pilot Partner)
Funding Program: CESAM Cascade Funding – Open Innovation Projects & Challenges
The AWARE project is piloting an innovative smart water refill system using reusable containers and integrated digital technology. Designed and implemented by AWAYTER S.L., the system combines QR-code access, digital payments, and real-time usage tracking to encourage sustainable habits and reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles. A dispenser will be installed at Hostel Palma 2014 S.L. to assess its environmental and user impact in a real-world, high-traffic tourism setting.
Project Goals:
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Deploy and validate a circular refill solution using reusable packaging.
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Integrate digital features like QR access, user data tracking, and payment systems.
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Measure environmental impact and behavioral response in a live hospitality setting.
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Use insights to prepare for scaling across tourism, urban, and agrifood sectors.
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Promote circular economy values and reduce plastic waste generation.
Interregional Collaboration & Impact:
The pilot, based in the Balearic Islands, offers a strong foundation to evaluate the system in a real tourism environment. The collaboration between AWAYTER and Hostel Palma 2014 S.L. provides key insights into user adoption and operational performance. AWARE also contributes to broader interregional knowledge exchange around refill solutions and circularity, building a path toward replication in both urban and touristic contexts across Europe.
Circularity at the Core:
AWAYTER was founded to tackle the growing problem of plastic pollution through circular design. Its smart refill stations are built to replace bottled water with digital, scalable, and user-friendly systems based on reuse and monitoring. The AWARE project reinforces this mission by combining technological innovation with real-world testing—demonstrating how circular solutions can integrate into daily infrastructure and shift consumer habits toward sustainability.