Episode #12: When cups initiate a reusable ecosystem to take the waste out of takeout

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Episode #12: Podcast Show Notes

Introduction

What if it was easy to take single-use out of takeout thanks to reusables?

Today, you will hear about ShareWares, a platform where numerous "wares" are borrowed, sanitized, and reused (cups, but also other containers to come). For whom? For numerous industries such as cafes, restaurants, and events, but also cultural places and various markets.

With Cody, its founder and CEO, we spoke about the journey of his company and when tech and regulation ease the adoption of reusables.

Be also ready to learn what does it take for

  • a circular cup design,

  • a good return rate,

  • and a dreaming sustainable logistic system.

Not to mention his testimonial about getting local stuff versus overseas.

Don’t miss his final burning question: I am pretty sure it will nourish your own packaging consideration.

Where to find Cody and ShareWares

Cody’s recommended tool for our audience

https://www.blinkist.com/en: to have the audio version of the core of the crux of some books

Little notes

  • We spoke about the Circular Economy course of Rosemary Cooper at BCIT (where Colienne is also sub-teaching). For those who are interested to discover a bit more about it, check this webpage: https://www.bcit.ca/study/courses/bsus5220

  • In the middle of the interview, Cody mentioned the Binners’ Project in Vancouver (see https://www.binnersproject.org/). What does binner mean? One who attempts to earn money from what can be recovered from trash bins, as coin-deposit bottles and cans.

About Cody Irwin from ShareWares

Cody was born on a remote farm in Manitoba, spent most of his youth in uptown Toronto, and studied mechanical engineering at McGill University before moving to beautiful British Columbia. He has a strong connection and love for nature, as well as a powerful draw to technology and innovation.

For the last decade he has called Vancouver home, where he started his first venture in corporate food service for technology companies. Over 10 years he grew Natural Source into the local industry leader, at which point the pandemic almost completely wiped it out when offices closed. As devastating as this was, it was actually an amazing opportunity. With the government's relief support and by repurposing his company's resources, he was able to build ShareWares which has massive environmental, economic, and social impact potential at a global scale.

Podcast music

Special thanks to Joachim Regout who made the jingle. Have a look at his work here.

I am happy to bring a sample of our strong bonds on these sound waves. Since I was a child, he made me discover a wide range of music of all kinds. I am also delighted he is a nature lover and shares the Look4Loops 'out of the box philosophy'. He is an inspiring source of creativity for me.

Colienne Regout