News Summary

Friendlier, a Guelph-based cleantech startup, has secured $4.5 million CAD in funding to enhance its reusable packaging solutions for food service operators. Since its inception in 2019, the company has reused over 3.3 million containers, offering an alternative to single-use plastic. This funding round saw participation from Toronto-based investment firms Good & Well and Relay Ventures. Friendlier plans to use the funds to expand its infrastructure, including the deployment of micro-sanitation hubs and the adaptation of its system for various food service settings, such as catering and retail grab-and-go stations. The company’s reusable containers are already in use across Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, with partnerships including the Toronto Zoo and Coca-Cola Canada. Friendlier’s initiative is part of a broader trend, with other Canadian startups like Vancouver’s Reusables also tackling single-use food waste.