Episode #24: Experience reusables where food is served at scale!
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Episode #24: Podcast Show Notes
Introduction
Do you want to be smarter than single-use disposables? What impacts could big organizations' canteens expect if they switch to reusables?
With my guest, Rich Grousset from Re:Dish, we could have talked about it for days! This episode is an accelerated overview of how a take-back system for reusable food containers can reshape consumer behavior at scale!
We covered the cyclic ‘deliver-collect-clean’ business model of Re:Dish, including their optimization rate, their local choices, their materials’ properties, and the value of their impactful ‘scope 3’ metrics.
You will also discover a lot of behind the scene strategies, like their motivational communication, their sustainable commitment at every level of their logistic, and some of their partnerships.
And if you are interested in reuse, I invite you to listen to episodes 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12 with guests from other parts of the world using various materials in different kinds of contexts. And of course, to episode 17 where I shared 3 key benefits of reusable packaging.
Resources mentioned and recommended in this episode
The Impact Report 2021 of Just Salad (https://justsalad.com/), published in April 2022: https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.justsalad.com/assets/Just-Salad-2021-Annual-Impact-Report.pdf, p.29: «The LCA showed that on average, our reusable MyBowl results in lower global warming (greenhouse gas emissions) and water consumption impacts than disposable fiber bowls after just two uses.»
The Understanding Packaging Scorecard, led by the Single Use Material Decelerator (SUM’D) and hosted by the Food Packaging Forum: https://upscorecard.org/#launch-scorecard
The burning question came from episode #20: How to grow your compostable packaging? Explore the wonder of mycelium! with Meghan Olson of Ecovative Design
The NSF certification: https://www.nsf.org/
Colienne mentioned the 'Switching to Reusable Products in Large Foodservice Operations' panel moderated by Rich on May 2 during the Circular City Week 2022 in New York. Watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wJ1GB5iwaY
aNYbag is a partner of ReDish that takes plastic waste and transforms it into beautiful reusable tote bags: https://anybag.com/
If you are interested in motivations and shifting behavior, Colienne recommended listening to
Episode #15: Segmenting 7 motivations to better reach your market with Lindsey Boyle of Circular Citizen
Episode #18: Sustainable packaging through the lens of the SHIFT marketing framework _ Part ½ and Episode #19: Sustainable packaging through the lens of the SHIFT marketing framework _ Part 2/2 with Katherine White of UBC Sauder School of Business & Rosemary Cooper of Share Reuse Repair Initiative
We talked about the ReDish experience at the ‘Pollinator Picnic’ organized by Madison Square Park Conservancy in New York on May 21, 2022: https://madisonsquarepark.org/community/calendar/event/pollinator-picnic/
The book that Rich recommended: «How to Save the World: How to Make Changing The World The Greatest Game We've Ever Played», by Katie Patrick, 2019.
Where to find Re:Dish and Rich
The website of Re:Dish: https://www.redish.com/
Their social media:
The email of Rich Grousset: rgrousset@redish.com
The LinkedIn profile of Rich Grousset: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richgrousset/
About Rich Grousset from Re:Dish
Rich Grousset is a sustainability expert and social entrepreneur committed to helping organizations transition from single-use foodservice products to reusable alternatives. He is currently the head of sustainability at Re:Dish, an NYC-based company providing reusable foodservice packaging as a service to organizations with large dining operations.
Before joining Re:Dish, Rich had launched several reusable-to-go container programs in university and workplace cafeterias and worked on various reuse-related projects as an independent consultant.
Rich earned an MBA and MS in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan, an MA in Survey Research Methods from UConn, a BS in Communication Theory from Cornell University, and is a GBCI certified TRUE Zero Waste Advisor.
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.