Summary

Topup Truck is a zero-waste shop on wheels that sells a variety of refillable essentials like grains, pulses, teas and other household products. It offers customers the convenience of shopping close to their house, and the ability to use their own reusable containers, thereby minimizing or eliminating the use of single-use packaging. The company offers a digital platform that allows customers to place orders on their website. The electric truck then parks at a community for a period of time during which multiple members of a neighborhood can shop at the same time, resulting in more efficient use of energy and minimizing costs associated with delivery. The business took off during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the founders noticed how the gathering of neighbors built a sense of community among shoppers, while also encouraging minimal use of packaging. They also offer a closed-loop reusable packaging system in addition to offering zero waste solutions.

Story

After working for a sustainable condiments company and exploring different forms of waste reduction, Founder Ella Shone was struck by the amount of packaging waste within business to business supply chains. Shone was frustrated by how much the infrastructure of supply chains would have to change to eliminate this. When she was on furlough during the pandemic, she started delivering meals to vulnerable people as a volunteer, which ultimately gave her the idea for Topup Truck. (Source)

Pic Credit: Source (right) and ReLondon (top)