Suppli
Clean tech
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Grant: Grow Your Business Online
Service provider: Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (Digital Main Street)
"CDAP has helped us understand the returns on different digital strategies, with resources to support us."
Sometimes it is easy being green
Doing more for the environment shouldn't be hard. Suppli was created with this in mind, to make it easy to reduce the use of single-use plastics but also to make it simple for people to do their part.
Launched in September 2020, Megan and Julianna's business has an app that allows consumers to order takeout or delivery from some of their favourite restaurants in Toronto and not have to worry about the food containers ending up in the landfill.
Inspired by a documentary on the tiffin lunch system (better known in India as dabbawalas), Suppli wasn't just going to sell reusable containers; it was going to ensure that they were used and returned again and again. Container drop-off spots can be found on the Suppli website.
Today, the company boasts an impressive 97% container return rate and signs up 90% of the restaurants it engages with.
The challenge
With Canada's commitment to be more environmentally conscious and prohibit single-use plastics, Megan and Julianna were looking to do more to help other restaurants and food shops do business waste free.
They understood that it can be incredibly difficult to break through the virtual clutter and reach potential partners, given the sheer number of platforms and competing messages.
Enter the Grow Your Business Online grant, which helped provide Suppli with advice and develop the digital marketing and advertising strategy it needed to connect with other businesses to drive their growth.
Keep an eye out for eco-friendly containers at your favourite restaurant to see the future of sustainability in action.
Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (Digital Main Street) tip
To tap into the competitive food service industry, a business can adopt various strategies. One effective approach is to clearly define your value proposition, like Suppli's sustainability model, and offer a seamless customer experience, including with online ordering. By doing so, you can create a win-win situation for both your business and your customers.
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