With over 50,000 restaurant partners, Canadian food delivery network SkipTheDishes has recently launched a pilot initiative to provide reusable packaging options to local customers in Calgary, Alberta. It aims to reduce single-use plastic waste by offering a greener, more sustainable takeout experience through a partnership with Calgary-based social enterprise Earthware Reusable.
The program will see over 20 local participating restaurants on the SkipTheDishes network issue takeout orders with Earthware reusable containers. Customers can identify them by clicking the Earthware banner on the Skip app.
Upon finishing their meals, customers can return their containers and lids at one of 13 central bottle depots across Calgary and receive a refund. Each reusable container will then be washed, sanitized, and inspected by Earthware before they are redistributed to participating restaurants.
Customers are able to return their reusable packaging items according to their convenience, as well as drop off other recyclables such as bottles and cans.
The trial comes after successful pilots in Southern Ontario and Vancouver with local reusable packaging companies, Friendlier and ShareWares. Both start-ups continue to operate on the SkipTheDishes network in their markets.
“With over 50,000 restaurant partners on Skip from coast to coast, we know we have a unique opportunity to drive positive, sustainable change within the food delivery industry,” said head of local partnerships at SkipTheDishes, Loraine Nyokong.
Towards a greener future in Calgary
Earthware founder John MacInnes said the company was “thrilled” to partner with SkipTheDishes and further its mission of preventing one million single-use containers from ending up in landfills by 2025.
“Leveraging the scale of Skip’s extensive delivery network, this partnership will expand our reach to more restaurants that are interested in switching from single-use to reusable packaging and in turn, will ensure that customers have more opportunities to enjoy takeout from their favorite restaurants, without worrying about the waste,” he added.
Nyokong noted that Calgary is already well-placed for such an initiative, with many local residents already actively participating in recycling programs.
“Through our work with Earthware, we know that Calgarians make over 1.7 million visits to Alberta bottle depots each year to drop off beverage containers for recycling, with an 84% return rate on bottles and cans,” she said.
“Through this pilot partnership, we’re excited to see local residents also return their takeout containers as part of these trips, as we all work together to make a difference for our planet.”
