An RFID-based system for tracking, managing, dispensing and recycling
bags, particularly retail and grocery-type bags such as t-shirt bags and
the like. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates
a system wherein there is employed at a T-Shirt bag fabrication facility
an RFID tag dispensing system for affixing an RFID tag to the
thermoplastic film utilized in forming a T-shirt bag, which bag is formed
into a stack. The RFID tag is associated with the bag at the time of
manufacture, and information pertaining to said bag is saved in a central
computer, which is subsequently used in shipping and management of the
bag(s). A sensor bag rack is provided for supporting the bag pack during
dispensing and use of the bags at the checkout counter, which supports
the bag during loading and is configured to relay data on said bag as it
is removed from the rack for placement in the customers cart, or
otherwise provided to the customer. An alternative system contemplates a
sensor which counts the bags at they are removed from the rack and
compiles the number of bags per customer per transaction, which is used
to calculate the deposit to be charged the customer for the bags used.
Data on the number of bags used in bagging of the customers goods is
thereby provided, which maybe used to calculate a deposit for each bag,
which is charged to the customer. The customer may also be associated
with each bag for compiling subsequent data on recycling of said bags.
Lastly, the present invention contemplates a recycling bin which
incorporates an RFID scanner to scan a collection of bags simultaneously
as they are returned by the user, utilizing the data to calculate a
refund due the customer.