Mission
Retournzy coop’s mission is to reduce waste at the source in the catering, event, corporate and institutional sectors in order to revolutionize the way people consume take-out meals or meals normally served in individual single-use containers, by offering an ecological and sustainable alternative to the use of these containers, thanks to a turnkey service of distribution, collection, washing and sanitation of shared reusable containers. Retournzy informs and educates food service professionals and consumers on the issue of single use and the benefits of reusable containers in the face of these challenges.
A cooperative of solidarity, committed and local
Retournzy containers are a shared resource among all users of the network and are made available to those who need them. Our cooperative ensures the circulation of containers between users and their multiple reuses.
In a circular economy principle, Retournzy is proud to be part of the social economy movement.
Values
Circularity
By sharing reusable containers as an alternative to single-use containers, we want to encourage a circular economy
Coherence
By paying attention to every details, from the choice of containers to their transport, we ensure the ecological coherence of our service
Hygiene
By professionally cleaning containers, we ensure that their hygiene meets the rules defined by the MAPAQ
Transparency
We advocate transparent and honest communication with all our stakeholders
Impact
By working together, we are convinced that we can bring an alternative the new normal of tomorrow
Cooperation
We want to gather around the project a community of actors committed to the transition. The cooperative model allows us to offer a service designed by and for its members, so that they can define the solution and make it radiate, within a strong, committed and united network
Team
The strength of our team is diversity! Because we are entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, caterers and logistics experts from different backgrounds, we have assembled our skills to create a more resilient local community with you.
Working members
Yumi Watanabe
Operations and quality control
Board of Directors and advisory committee
Founding team
History
September 2020
Start of the Retournzy project by Cindy and Florian
October 2020
Participation in the Coopérathon Desjardins / Finalists in the Recyc-Québec category
January 2021
Start of the incubation process at EntrePrism / Jury’s Favourite Award
March 2021
Constitution of the Retournzy solidarity coop with the help of the CDRQ
July 2021
First order of containers for the pre-pilot project
October 2021
Launch and success of a socio-financing campaign
October 2021
Start of the MTLab Incubation Path
March 2022
Launch of the sharing network pilot project with 6 institutions and 4 drop-off points in Montreal
November 2022
Launch of the sharing network in the Plateau Mont-Royal, Rosemont and Villeray
January 2023
Structuring service for two new customer segments: caterers and event organizers (photo credit: Angélique Labbadi)
August 2023
Installation in our first wash center
Awards and distinctions
Coopérathon 2020
Finalists in the Recyc-Québec category
EntrePrism 2021 (HEC Montréal)
Jury’s Favourite Award ($1,000 grant)
Défi Propulsion 2021 (Desjardins)
Winners of the “Défi Propulsion” ($10,000 grant)
Participatory budget of the Plateau-Mont-Royal 2021
Third most voted project by citizens
Youth wing of the Chantier de l’Économie Sociale 2021
$2,500 grant from the Transition in the “Circular Economy” category
MTLab 2022
Grant of $5,000
Tourisme Montréal Distinction Award 2023
In the Sustainable Tourism section: attractions, activities, tourism and convention services
Environmental Initiative of the Year Award 2024 (Cooperatives and Mutuals Canada)
Awarded to the project for its significant contribution to reducing the environmental footprint