Returnr aims to replace single use takeaway packaging
by Startacus Admin
The Melbourne-based startup Returnr that has "Shared use, less resources, less waste" at its core, aiming to replace single use takeaway packaging with equivalent reusable solutions...
Waste from packaging is a massive problem, with plastics being the most obvious and most prevalent. If you make your lunch at home to take to work with you, you are contributing less to this waste, but you are also in the minority. Most of us go out for lunch at least some days of the week, and this means a plastic box with our salad, a plastic-coated cardboard cup with plastic lid for our drinks, plastic knife and fork, etc. Which, naturally, all gets thrown away when we have finished eating or drinking. We have written before about startups such as BioCellection and Plastech Innovation, which are developing ways to deal with this plastic waste, but what about dealing with the problem before it occurs?
Melbourne-based startup Returnr has its sights set on the processes leading up to this waste being created in the first place. The idea is simple: instead of single-use takeaway containers that get thrown away, why not use containers that can be returned and reused? After all, chances are you will be going back to that same place for lunch again.
Returnr products are made from materials chosen for hygiene, safety, and longevity, and are used at no additional cost to the customer besides a small deposit. When you have finished, just rinse out the Returnr container and take it back to any café or restaurant in the Returnr network to get back your deposit.
In November, Returnr launched the Workplace Micropool which, as the name suggests, provides a Returnr workspace and collection of bowls, cups, and lids to your place of work. These can be used for your own food of course, or they can be taken to the local café not yet in the Returnr network for them to prepare your food in.
Returnr has partnered with Deliveroo in Victoria, Australia, so customers can opt to use the Returnr option when they make their food order, and the restaurant will pack their food in one to be delivered as normal. With an initiative like this, we think Deliveroo (and Australia) will just be the beginning for Returnr...
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Business owners and entrepreneurs may have many similarities but there are several key differences too - here, we take a look at some of those
Trust Keith is a startup that is on a mission to simplify data protection by creating a global data protection solution that is wholly founder-centric
Insights from our panel event with Insurtech Gateway on how re-framing your business as an insurtech could unlock your business' true potential
Applications still open for The Debut Sessions Christmas Pitch comp with the opportunity to win a Term Sheet for a £100,000 SEIS investment
Primer, the innovative fintech that helps merchants consolidate their payments stack through its low-code infrastructure and online checkout API secures a £14 million Series A funding round, led by Accel
Ryan Roddy, Derry native and student at De Montfort University wins the Prospect 100 global sneaker design competition with his military inspired corkscrew sneaker
The Limerick-based startup that can perceive, predict and prevent automotive accidents in real-time using proprietary long range imaging sensors & AI on-the-edge
Insights from a discussion with Speedinvest, Amplifier, La Famiglia and Redstone, four of Europe’s leading early stage venture funds, on current VC funding for female founders and what changes are needed
Carverter is an online platform that’s on a mission to help us all to switch to greener cars sooner, by providing independent advice and comparisons in one handy place
Effective branding should reflect your business and what you're about - this advice and these tips will help you ensure that it does just that
Published on: 8th December 2019
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Insurtech Gateway Panel event - Could insurtech unlock your business? 1st Dec 2020 Insights from our panel event with Insurtech Gateway on how re-framing your business as an insurtech could unlock your business' true potential
- UK-based startups sought for The Debut Sessions Christmas Special 1st Dec 2020 Applications still open for The Debut Sessions Christmas Pitch comp with the opportunity to win a Term Sheet for a £100,000 SEIS investment
- Primer secures £14 million Series A funding 30th Nov 2020 Primer, the innovative fintech that helps merchants consolidate their payments stack through its low-code infrastructure and online checkout API secures a £14 million Series A funding round, led by Accel
- Derry student wins Prospect 100's global sneaker design competition 30th Nov 2020 Ryan Roddy, Derry native and student at De Montfort University wins the Prospect 100 global sneaker design competition with his military inspired corkscrew sneaker
