Fwd: CORC's Fall 2025 Newsletter
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Sustainable Delaware Ohio
Nov 5, 2025, 9:31:39 AM (5 days ago) Nov 5
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Nov 5, 2025 5:30:21 AM Central Ohio Reuse Coalition (CORC) <dougla...@167652858.mailchimpapp.com>:
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Dear SDO,
Central Ohio’s reusable coffee cup network continues to expand. We welcome four amazing businesses to the Okapi network (see details below). Soon, there will be 17 locations scattered throughout Columbus, Bexley, Worthington, Hilliard, and Grandview Heights! In reaching that number, you can say we’re primed!
Our expanding network uncovers a trend that many coffee shop owners, when provided with the option, are keen to give their customers a zero-waste alternative when serving take-out drinks. Unfortunately, aside from a dedicated cohort, adoption rates are low (which we half-expected relatively early in this initiative). The hard truth is, an absolute majority of consumers are locked into the disposable model — mainly, because it’s so annoyingly convenient.
We want your help!
A thriving circular economy is a worthy goal. It’s going to take creative approaches — incentives, promotions, and education — to move the needle. We want to harness the power of the collective mind. See below (or click here) to access our quick, informal, feedback form!
Yours in health,
- Doug Calem, CORC Founder and Co-Director
We are primed! Seventeen Okapi Locations in Central Ohio
Here’s are some cool facts about the participating Okapi locations.
Below are short profiles of each of the four new locations:
Light Meeting House
Founders and owners Rick Smith and Prudence Kelly opened Light Meeting House in Olde Town East (1485 Oak St) in June of this year in the space that formerly housed Adella’s on Oak. It is a cozy coffee shop with exceptionally kind owners. It has ample seating, natural lighting and features an outdoor patio.
Casa Cacao
Owner Ayala Wolak opened Columbus’ first bar dedicated to serving kava and cacao on 367 E. Hudson (just east of Indianola Ave). Casa Cacao offers a wide variety of coffee, tea, kava and cacao drinks (kava drinks are made from the root of the kava plant, traditionally consumed in the South Pacific for its calming effects). Its 10-point mission leads with “Be consistently friendly, helpful, and respectful to all clients, coworkers, and our community.”
Moonbird Coffee
Owners Candice and Eric O’Neill opened the Moonbird Coffee trailer this year at 1400 Holly Ave in the parking lot right behind The View on Fifth in Grandview Heights. Moonbird features a collection of espresso drinks, matcha, kiddo hot cocoa, and some specialty drinks. Moonbird sources their coffee, tea, spices, chocolate, and even sugar in the most ethical manner possible.
Queer Beans
Co-owners Lauren Branch and Reese Steiner opened Queer Beans Coffee & Tea in Stonewall Columbus’ Community Center, located at 1160 N. High St. in the Short North. Queer Beans occupies a portion of the Little Gay Bookstore, an on-site cafe-bookshop designed for community, comfort, and visibility. Queer Beans serves locally roasted coffee in collaboration with nonprofit Roosevelt Coffeehouse
We Want Your Help!
As mentioned above, we’d like your ideas about increasing customer adoption rate of reusable cups at participating shops. Please access and complete this online form and share your thoughts.
Quote of the Month
Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health.
- Carl Jung
Reuse Saves Lives
Reuse Saves Money
Reuse Creates Jobs
CONTACT CORC
co...@plasticreductionproject.org
Copyright (C) 2025 Plastic Reduction Project. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website or were added at your request. This list is intended for general updates on the Central Ohio operations. You may receive other communications from a different list if you have expressed interest in specific projects.
Our mailing address is:
Plastic Reduction Project
4715 Palisade Dr
Austin, TX 78731-4516
Add us to your address book
Want to change how you receive these emails?
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View this email in your browser
Dear SDO,
Central Ohio’s reusable coffee cup network continues to expand. We welcome four amazing businesses to the Okapi network (see details below). Soon, there will be 17 locations scattered throughout Columbus, Bexley, Worthington, Hilliard, and Grandview Heights! In reaching that number, you can say we’re primed!
Our expanding network uncovers a trend that many coffee shop owners, when provided with the option, are keen to give their customers a zero-waste alternative when serving take-out drinks. Unfortunately, aside from a dedicated cohort, adoption rates are low (which we half-expected relatively early in this initiative). The hard truth is, an absolute majority of consumers are locked into the disposable model — mainly, because it’s so annoyingly convenient.
We want your help!
A thriving circular economy is a worthy goal. It’s going to take creative approaches — incentives, promotions, and education — to move the needle. We want to harness the power of the collective mind. See below (or click here) to access our quick, informal, feedback form!
Yours in health,
- Doug Calem, CORC Founder and Co-Director
We are primed! Seventeen Okapi Locations in Central Ohio
Here’s are some cool facts about the participating Okapi locations.
- Twelve of the seventeen businesses (almost 70%) are brick-and-mortar shops. Two of those are inside other businesses — a music studio (Swonderful Times Café) and a bookstore (Queer Beans). The remaining 30% work out of trailers or have a booth at the Worthington Farmers Market.
- Seven of the seventeen shops (41%) are either minority owned businesses and/or women owned businesses.
- Most shops are traditional coffee shops, but the notable exceptions are Sunny Sips (smoothies), Casa Cacao (kava and cacao drinks are a main staple) while a few others sell alcoholic drinks as well (Black Kahawa, Casa Cacao, Moonbird Coffee, & Barrel and Bloom).
Below are short profiles of each of the four new locations:
Light Meeting House
Founders and owners Rick Smith and Prudence Kelly opened Light Meeting House in Olde Town East (1485 Oak St) in June of this year in the space that formerly housed Adella’s on Oak. It is a cozy coffee shop with exceptionally kind owners. It has ample seating, natural lighting and features an outdoor patio.
Casa Cacao
Owner Ayala Wolak opened Columbus’ first bar dedicated to serving kava and cacao on 367 E. Hudson (just east of Indianola Ave). Casa Cacao offers a wide variety of coffee, tea, kava and cacao drinks (kava drinks are made from the root of the kava plant, traditionally consumed in the South Pacific for its calming effects). Its 10-point mission leads with “Be consistently friendly, helpful, and respectful to all clients, coworkers, and our community.”
Moonbird Coffee
Owners Candice and Eric O’Neill opened the Moonbird Coffee trailer this year at 1400 Holly Ave in the parking lot right behind The View on Fifth in Grandview Heights. Moonbird features a collection of espresso drinks, matcha, kiddo hot cocoa, and some specialty drinks. Moonbird sources their coffee, tea, spices, chocolate, and even sugar in the most ethical manner possible.
Queer Beans
Co-owners Lauren Branch and Reese Steiner opened Queer Beans Coffee & Tea in Stonewall Columbus’ Community Center, located at 1160 N. High St. in the Short North. Queer Beans occupies a portion of the Little Gay Bookstore, an on-site cafe-bookshop designed for community, comfort, and visibility. Queer Beans serves locally roasted coffee in collaboration with nonprofit Roosevelt Coffeehouse
We Want Your Help!
As mentioned above, we’d like your ideas about increasing customer adoption rate of reusable cups at participating shops. Please access and complete this online form and share your thoughts.
Quote of the Month
Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health.
- Carl Jung
Reuse Saves Lives
Reuse Saves Money
Reuse Creates Jobs
CONTACT CORC
co...@plasticreductionproject.org
Copyright (C) 2025 Plastic Reduction Project. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website or were added at your request. This list is intended for general updates on the Central Ohio operations. You may receive other communications from a different list if you have expressed interest in specific projects.
Our mailing address is:
Plastic Reduction Project
4715 Palisade Dr
Austin, TX 78731-4516
Add us to your address book
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe
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