
Faced with the explosion of disposable cardboard and plastic containers in the catering sector, the founding members of Retournzy came up with the innovative idea of creating a cooperative, circular network of returnable reusable containers.
The project, which saw the light of day in autumn 2020, became a reality in 2021. The first test for restaurateurs will be launched in March 2022 to verify the principle and validate the approach.
Retournzy has chosen neutral, solid, washable steel/stainless steel containers with silicone lids. The young company’s innovation lies above all in the logistics it offers to facilitate the collection, return, washing and redistribution of containers. It is aimed at restaurants, caterers, schools, cafeterias – in short, anywhere there are containers.
The committed solidarity cooperative is working with vélo-cargo in Montreal to strengthen the hyper-local short circuit. It also wants to work with companies involved in social reintegration, as part of its commitment to the community.
The encounter with MT Lab has enabled Retournzy to open up to new markets. With partners such as the Palais des Congrès, the city of Trois-Rivières and the Parc Olympiques, the world of events and food trucks is becoming a development market for the start-up. Retournzy is also targeting the cafeterias of major corporations such as Air Canada and Loto-Québec.
Retournzy’s offer aims to change consumer behavior by making it easier for them to reuse containers, but it also enables companies to reinforce their social and environmental responsibility.
“MT Lab’s partners helped us to better understand their reality as tourism players,” explains France Gosselin, co-founder of Retournzy. This allows us to co-create products with them that meet their needs.”