Hospitality outlets in Dunedin are signing up for a new reusable takeaway container system initiative to help drive down the amount of waste generated by single-use packaging products.
The Taste Nature Social Enterprise charitable trust venture is co-ordinated by Brian McFarland, in conjunction with Business South, returnable packaging system Again Again and Dunedin City Council waste fund initiative.
Customers use an app to scan out the containers — just like a library — and, if they do not return them, they get charged for a replacement.
Containers can also be bought and uploaded to the system.
A DCC waste minimisation grant got the initiative under way and enough funding had been received to set up 31 locations.
Sixteen would go live by the middle of next month, comprising Taste Nature, Gilbert’s Fine Food, Gilbert’s Highgate, Common Ground Espresso, Dispensary on Albany, Dispensary at the Hospital, Vanguard Specialty Coffee Co, The Roastery (Vanguard Specialty Coffee), RdC, Catalyst, Buster Greens, ADJO, Eden Cafe (The Hub) at Otago Polytechnic, Heritage Coffee, Maggies and Vogel St Kitchen.
Paperwork was being finalised with seven more locations and Mr McFarland was actively looking for an additional eight locations to add to the initiative.
The biggest hurdle was getting customers to download the app but, once that was done, the system was easy to use.
Feedback had been positive from staff and customers.
Business South business growth and sustainability director Tara Druce said it was an "awesome" community-led initiative.
Users can download the app at https://www.againagain.co/
