| Dear Anna,
When we launched the Okapi Reusable Cup program in early 2025 we knew in advance that it was a small-scale endeavor that would make only a small dent in reducing waste sent to the Franklin County landfill. But the fact that the Okapi Network is now an established fact in the Central Ohio landscape provides us with the opportunity to engage with local stakeholders about reuse. These conversations are critical as we don’t have the luxury of waiting for government and the business community to implement sustainable, circular solutions.
We will be partnering with Vicky Abou-Ghalioum from the Story of Stuff (whom you met in our last newsletter) to hold events where reuse stakeholders and supporters can and explore best practices and solutions. Stay tuned for more!
Although the situation seems dire on so many fronts, it is the nature of things to move and shift. I foresee a time in the near future when there will be an impetus to change the systems that impact consumer behavior and the environment. Again, we can’t afford to wait. As the bard from Minnesota wrote, “Let us not talk falsely now, the hour’s getting late.”
What is your vision of reuse?
- Doug Calem, CORC Founder and Co-Director |
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| | Okapi Reuse Program - Lessons Learned |
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Beyond a Pilot:
Originally designed as a pilot, the Okapi Reuse program quickly to full implementation of a sizeable program. After 13 months, over 220 individuals have joined the program and have collectively borrowed more than 2,300 cups.
As we seek to increase participation, now is an opportune time to reflect and assess our work. Here are some general lessons that we learned: Shop Owner Interest vs. Customer Hesitation:
Shop owners may be ready to promote reuse, but the majority of customers (absent legislation mandating reuse) still need to be convinced of the value of reuse. This requires engaging directly with customers.
Okapi Impact and Carry-Out Projections:
While our working assumption to the City of Columbus was that 10% of takeout orders in participating shops would be served in Okapi cups; the actual number is much lower — likely less than 5% (we do not have an exact percentage as the sites do not track total number of takeout orders).
Waste Diversion Projections:
We initially anticipated diverting 18,000 cups from the landfill each year based on having 5 participating shops serving 50 takeout orders in Okapi cups each day. After 13 months, the program has diverted just a little less than 1/8th of that number (2,300).
Customer Predisposition to Reuse:
A major challenge we have encountered is to increase customer participation beyond the “greenies” who approach the program with a built-in passion for sustainability.
Unique nature of small businesses
Each business (and business owner) has its own idiosyncrasies and therefore there is no “one size fits all” approach CORC can take when working with local shops.
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Sustainable Westerville, in conjunction with the Westerville Public Library and Otterbein University, is organizing a Repair Café on April 18 at The Point at Otterbein University.
A Repair Café is a free meet-up space where visitors bring broken items from home (clothes, furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, toys, and more) and work with volunteer specialists to repair their goods. You can lend a hand with someone else’s repair job or just enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. |
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Green Columbus will be hosting its annual Earth Month worksite campaign throughout April, including over 100 volunteer opportunities.
The Earth Day Columbus Celebration will be held on Sunday, April 26 at the Scioto Audubon Metro Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can sign up to volunteer or learn more at earthdaycolumbus.org. |
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| | Reuse Goes Mainstream at the Super Bowl |
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“The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you can alter, even by a millimeter, the way people look at reality, then you can change the world.” - James Baldwin |
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| | Reuse Saves Lives
Reuse Saves Money
Reuse Creates Jobs |
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