Jacquie Hutchings and co-founder Kayli Dale drew inspiration for their reusable packaging business while studying in Sweden. Their business, Friendlier, recently expanded in Guelph.Friendlier, a local reusable packaging company provides reusable packing to multiple companies and food providers in Ontario, has expanded in Guelph.
She said the experience of eating and drinking in Sweden is a part of a person’s day and it’s meant to be valued and cherished, whereas in North America, food and drinks are a means to get some energy or nutrition to move along in the day.While abroad, Hutchings said they wanted to find a way to help Canadians make sustainable decisions without having it impact their fast-paced lifestyle.
Since its inception in 2020, the company has grown across the country with facilities in Guelph and Ottawa and plan to launch in Vancouver. Hutchings said they initially started at the University of Guelph and used the school’s dishwashers before quickly growing and moving into their own washing facility just north of the downtown.
Hutchings said the business works with a number of food service providers throughout the province and is in partnership with the Compass Group Canada, which runs several cafeterias for universities and corporate offices.Local manufacturing company Omnia Packaging also creates the business’s custom coffee cups. She said Friendlier had one million containers used last year and are well on their way to two million in 2024.