Canadian food delivery firm SkipTheDishes has launched a reusable packaging pilot in Vancouver with local reusable packaging company ShareWares.
The move is part of SkipTheDishes’ commitment to provide sustainable packaging options to the customers.
The pilot will first begin in the Kitsilano, Vancouver area, where participating restaurants will provide reusable containers for delivery and pick-up orders. The delivery service will be free during the pilot period.
SkipTheDishes said that all the containers will be equipped with a QR code that will show information about the nearest drop-off location. ShareWares will collect them and bring them to its washing plant in Olympic Village for thorough sanitisation and redistribution.
SkipTheDishes Growth & Restaurant Success senior vice president Steve Puchala said: “Through our partnership with ShareWares, we’re thrilled to work with our restaurant partners who are looking to provide a greener alternative to single-use packaging.
“This sustainable option will allow customers to enjoy their favourite dishes from local restaurants, without worrying about the waste.”
The food delivery service claimed that the pilot is anticipated to divert up to 88g of waste per container and become carbon negative on the second use.
The initiative follows ShareWares’ first pilot in Ontario this past June with Guelph-based reusable packaging company, Friendlier.
Under the partnership, the customers in Guelph, Elora, Fergus, and Kitchener have the choice to recycle their reusable takeout packaging by bringing it back to a participating restaurant.
More than 2,400 containers have been reused, saving 141kg of plastic garbage, to date through the initiative with Friendlier.
ShareWares founder and CEO Cody Irwin said: “The strength of Skip’s technology and extensive delivery network makes them an ideal partner as we further our mission of implementing a city-wide reusable container programme.
“We anticipate this pilot will be a great success and look forward to the expansion of our offering in more restaurants and neighbourhoods in the new year.”
SkipTheDishes aims to lower the amount of single-use plastic pollution in Canada by partnering with innovative start-ups and providing a more sustainable takeout experience.