Reusable food packaging pilot project coming to Storm game

Reusable concession stand packaging is coming to Sleeman Centre … at least for one event.

A pilot project will see attendees at the Nov. 20 Storm game have an opportunity to get some of their concession stand snacks in a reusable container rather than the single-use packaging traditionally offered.

“This is a huge opportunity to reduce waste at the arena and drive down their environmental impact,” said  Kayli Dale, co-founder of Friendlier, formerly known as A Friendlier Company, in an email. “My co-founder, Jacquie (Hutchings), and I had always envisioned our reusable packaging at event venues like arenas, as they often have large volumes of single-use packaging waste.”

The Guelph-based company works with more than 50 food providers in the community and elsewhere in Ontario to offer reusable take-out style containers via a deposit and return process.

In this case, anyone who chooses the reusable option will be required to put down a deposit of 50 cents and, after use, scan a code on the bottom of the container using the Friendlier app before leaving it in a collection bin in order to be refunded.

That refund can also be redirected to charity, Dale noted.

“This is a pilot to see how it works at the arena and we will be evaluating our system to see if there's areas we can modify to make the system perfect for arenas in the future,” she said.

The Storm take on the Sarnia Sting at Sleeman Centre on Nov. 20, beginning at 4 p.m.