Friendlier

Friendlier provides a comprehensive reusable packaging system aimed at eliminating single-use plastics in the food service industry. The company was founded in 2019 by Kayli Dale and Jacquie Hutchings, who met during their first year of studying chemical engineering at the University of Waterloo. Their journey began after a study abroad trip to Sweden, where they were inspired by the country's focus on environmental sustainability and circular economy principles. This experience, coupled with their disillusionment at the lack of sustainable practices in corporate settings they witnessed during co-op placements, motivated them to create a business with a positive environmental impact.

The company operates on a business-to-business model, serving clients such as restaurants, corporate offices, universities, event venues, and grocery stores. Friendlier supplies these businesses with a variety of reusable containers, including bowls, cups, and boxes, which the businesses then use to serve their customers. The core of the business is a full-service, reverse logistics system. Friendlier manages the delivery of clean containers, the pickup of used ones from designated return bins, and the commercial sanitation process, making the switch from single-use packaging seamless for their clients. Revenue is generated from the sale of these containers to partner businesses.

For the end consumer, the process is designed for convenience, modeled after familiar deposit-return systems. A small, refundable deposit of 50 cents to $1 is paid for the container at the point of purchase. To reclaim the deposit, customers scan a unique QR code on the packaging using a mobile app and return the container to any participating location. This digitized system also allows both Friendlier and its clients to track key metrics. Businesses can access a data analytics dashboard to measure their environmental impact, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and waste. The containers themselves are made from BPA-free polypropylene, are designed to be used up to 100 times, and are fully recyclable at the end of their life cycle.

Initially, the founders planned to launch a reusable cup system for events in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a pivot to the booming takeout packaging market. They launched with their first restaurant partner in Guelph in late 2020 and have since expanded to over 200 locations across Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. The company has formed key partnerships, including with Compass Group Canada, a major food service provider, which has been pivotal in their expansion into higher education and corporate dining services. Friendlier has been recognized for its work, with its founders being named to the Forbes "30 under 30" list.

Keywords: reusable packaging, circular economy, food service sustainability, reverse logistics, deposit-return system, sustainable packaging, plastic waste reduction, B2B sustainability solutions, cleantech, food tech, QR code tracking, impact measurement, sustainable supply chain, waste management, eco-friendly containers, packaging as a service, Guelph, Ontario startups, female-founded company, chemical engineering, circular food economy