Five Start-Ups Leading Reuse, Resale, and Refill in Plastics

Reuse, resale, and refill are three innovative business models that take old-school solutions to the next level. They can help to reduce plastic waste and significantly drive sustainability.

Reuse Plastics

These systems extend the lifecycle of plastic products by allowing them to be used multiple times, reducing the demand for new plastic products.

• CupClub provides reusable cup systems for coffee shops and restaurants. Customers use a CupClub cup, which they return after use. The cups are then collected, cleaned, and redistributed, creating a circular economy for beverage containers. This initiative reduces single-use cup waste and encourages sustainable habits.
• Muuse offers reusable containers for food and beverages with the slogan “Cut the carbon, not the convenience.” Their system integrates technology with sustainability, allowing users to track their container usage and impact through an app. Muuse offers a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to disposable packaging and operates in Canada, Hong Kong, and Singapore, with plans to expand to the US.
• RePack provides reusable and returnable packaging solutions for e-commerce. Customers receive their orders in RePack bags, which they return via mail for reuse. This system reduces single-use packaging and encourages circularity.

Resale Start-ups

Resale systems involve selling previously used plastic products, extending their lifespan, and reducing the need for new items. This approach promotes a circular economy, where products are continually cycled through the market.

• Thrilling connects consumers with second-hand and vintage stores across the United States. By facilitating the resale of pre-owned clothing and accessories, Thrilling reduces the demand for new plastic-based products, such as polyester garments. This approach helps manage plastic waste while making fashion more sustainable and affordable.

Refill Packaging

• Algramo, a Chilean startup, offers refill stations in NYC for everyday products such as cleaning supplies and personal care items. Consumers bring their containers to the station and refill them, paying only for the product, not the packaging. Algramo’s model is both environmentally friendly and economically beneficial, making sustainable living accessible to everyone.

Reuse, resale, and refill systems offer viable solutions to the plastic waste crisis. Initiatives like CupClub, Muuse, RePack, Algramo, and Thrilling demonstrate the potential of these business models to reduce waste and cut carbon emissions. However, consumers, businesses, and governments must collaborate to promote these systems.

You can also read: OscarPocket: ChatGPT for Waste Sorting