Lauren Sweeney’s Post

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Co-founder and CEO at DeliverZero

"We are bold, or we die" On International Women's Day, I noticed ads for the Cabrini movie and went to go see it the next day. Without spoiling it for those who haven't seen it (I recommend it), the movie and the woman it's based on tell the hard truth: in order to solve big problems, we need to think and act in big ways. We've invited big corporations to join us in doing that, and I appreciate that companies like Whole Foods Market, Toast, DoorDash, Uber, and others have joined us in creating a solution that could significantly reduce single-use packaging waste. Hundreds of restaurant operators in NYC, NJ, Colorado, LA, and the Bay Area have already chosen to join us...but there's a big gap that is becoming glaringly apparent: chains and big restaurant groups have been slow to adopt reusable packaging, even though they know that the compostable packaging they often choose instead is basically just greenwashing. We've had preliminary conversations with many chains, and during a call one of them even said something like "wow, you've solved for every challenge that comes with reusable packaging." And then, after telling us they would add all their locations in the New York metro area, that would-be partner ghosted. Here is the even colder, harder truth: big corporations assume that we will be there when they decide they're ready. That's not necessarily the case. Without commitments from partners who currently use the highest volumes of single-use packaging, we could die. So I'm choosing to be bold instead. We're ready to work with sweetgreen, Chopt Creative Salad Company, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Just Salad, Slutty Vegan, Panera Bread, Union Square Hospitality Group, Shake Shack, CAVA, Yum! Brands, Branded Hospitality Ventures, Modern Market Eatery, STARR Restaurants, Maman NYC, Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, Starbucks, Wonder, Health Nut, and any other restaurant ready to better understand how reuse could fit into their operations. Reuse is easier than it seems, it's a great customer acquisition and retention strategy, and we've designed our system to be cost-effective, too. We're ready to show you.

Erik Gillberg

Founder & CEO @ Now City | Sustainable Communities

7mo

I invite people to share this with their city leadership. Santa Cruz passed a law banning plastic straws at the beginning of that cycle, and a major national retailer pushed back saying they had a supply chain to consider that was much bigger than the needs of Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz pushed back and invited them to take their company elsewhere or pay fines, because they were breaking the law. That company changed their global supply chain because of that local municipal law-based resistance.

Marlene Bruch

Co-Founder + CD @PIZZycle - the reusable pizza box | Founder + Curator @Greendesigns_

7mo

It's so true, thanks for speaking up about this! It's always amazing to see big chains starting out with reusables and even better when they really implement them on a big scale. 🙌🏼

George Miller

Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Bidirectional Charging - Fermata Energy

7mo

Really excited for the potential of DeliverZero!! Forwarding this around where relevant. I hope more groups will realize the potential for customer attraction+retention alongside waste reduction.

Yadira Diaz

Founder @ Gradible: Environmental Concierge | Fractional Chief Impact Officer | Aspen Institute Climate Leader | Larta Venture Fellow | Earth Day Miami Ambassador | GMCC Leadership Miami '46

6mo

I share your concern and urgency for climate action. The situation demands bold, immediate steps from all of us to prevent the dire consequences of inaction. Our collective effort can pave the way for meaningful change. I am hopeful that our united call for action will be heard. Keep roaring, Lauren 💚

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Lisa McMullan

Sustainability Leader in solutions to our most challenging single use problems.

7mo

Lauren, I am staring you down right now in a good way! Let's do this! I feel your frustration. It's probable we make things more complicated than they seem. A good example of how simple this is = Smashburger's response as this is something businesses are looking for to move forward but have been leery due to past inclinations on how reuse works for their operations. It's fair to question, but undoubtably the path. Let's get some big-league chains to ask the hard questions and get to work!

Absolutely inspiring! Thinking and acting in big ways is essential for solving big problems.

Charles F. McCormick

Partner at McCormick & O'Brien, LLP

7mo

This would be a good NYC Startup Academy topic.

Kit Huffman

Founder, SENECA | Executive Ghostwriter | Executive Branding | Personal Branding | Executive Visibility

7mo

Love this: bold, direct, to-the-point.

Well said Lauren! This is an issue with reuse in general and all of your examples are familiar traits with large retailers at GOATOTE too. Supporting your bold moves and hope to see more of it throughout reuse!

Jen Derks

Agency Owner and Creative Director ~ Branding Consultant ~ Sustainability Focused ~ Startup Mentor ~ Healthy Agency Culture Champion

7mo

They don't trust you enough to sign on ... yet they trust you'll be there when they are ready for it. How ironic! Such a great opportunity for them to show leadership.

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