A Global Reuse Ecosystem,Loop
A Computer Platform That Can Support Our Sustainable Lifestyle - And It’s Powerful
If I could, I would go back to the time before plastics. Sustainable life. I try but it is extremely hard nowadays.
I’ve seen milk delivery people in my books and cartoons but I've never seen them in real life. But what if we can use the milk delivery system in modern day life to deliver something refillable such as shampoo, detergent or olive oil in bottles or cans directly to customers' homes - and pick up the empty containers to refill. No waste of plastic bottles and it is sustainable. Perfect.
So I researched whether someone has done something like this. Delivering groceries and fresh food is becoming popular, so I thought somebody must do a more sustainable version of this.
And I found this amazing global platform called Loop, operated by a New Jersey-based company called Terracycle, which helps reduce waste created by packaging through a reuse stream instead of a recycling stream.
So how exactly does the system work? They partner with major brands, retailers, manufacturers and NGO’s to sell mainstream products in reusable packages such as glass, aluminum or heavy-duty plastic. Once you use the products, you bring the empty containers back to the store and drop them off in the Loop collection bin. The empty packaging will be cleaned and reused again. You pay a refundable deposit for the packaging and once you return the empty container, you get your deposit back. Originally They started as a delivery system just like old time milk delivery!
Currently the Loop platform is operating in France, UK, Canada, US and Japan, and continues to grow worldwide. Wow! the computer platform rocks!
The Fred Meyer store (the parent company of Kroger) is the first US grocery retailer to launch Loop in Oregon. Good place to start in the US! Oregon people have a good understanding of nature and our ecosystem!
Loop launched in 2019, and this revolutionary platform was founded by Tom Szaky, the CEO of TerraCycle. During the pandemic, progress was slow at first but they can feel that consumers are moving towards a more sustainable lifestyle.
Most companies are not responsible for the waste created by their consumers. But Loop was made to team up with those companies to reduce that waste. The companies who participate are smart to know that younger generations are more interested in sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyles. We want to end the waste. I would like to say this to all the companies who haven't participated in real action to clean the Earth: stop the greenwashing and pretending. Instead, take real action.
Lastly, using the computer as a platform to help protect Earth is such a great idea. Taiwan's Digital Minister, Audrey Tang, about whom we wrote an article in the past, also used a computer platform to listen to Taiwan civilian’s voices, As a result Taiwan has banned plastic straws at all fast-food restaurants and department stores.
If you like this article, you will enjoy our previous articles Circular Department Store in Netherlands and Zero Waste Stores in Europe and US. Click and enjoy and don’t forget to tell your friends about what you learn!