Catherine Weetman talks to Brian Bauer, who leads Circular Economy and Alliances at Algramo, a Chilean startup that refills consumer products by the gram from vending machines.Algramo’s founder, Jose Manuel Moller noticed a problem he calls the ‘poverty tax’ (when lower-income consumers buy products in very small, supposedly more “affordable” formats, but end up paying up to 40 percent more for the product, compared to a larger pack size). Algramo’s refill system helps solve this problem, allowing customers to purchase the quantity of products they need at ‘bulk’ prices — making the sustainable option more affordable, equitable and convenient.The service already operates in thousands of family-owned stores that reach over 300,000 end-customers in Santiago, Chile, and now has a mobile option using electric trikes. Algramo has recently expanded to the US with refill vending machines in New York City, partnering with Colgate-Palmolive and Clorox.We hear how Algramo is integrating technology too, including RFID tags to monitor usage. During lockdown, Algramo has developed an app, so customers can take their empty container to the store, and use their smartphone to control the refill machine, meaning they don’t need to touch anything they haven’t brought into the store.

Podcast host Catherine Weetman is a circular economy business advisor, workshop facilitator, speaker and writer.  Her award-winning book: A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Catherine founded Rethink Global in 2013, to help businesses use circular, sustainable approaches to build a better business (and a better world).Stay in touch for free insights and updates...

Read on for a summary of the podcast and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention.
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Links we mention in the episode:

* Rethink Global’s coaching services https://www.rethinkglobal.info/coaching-and-advice/
* Algramo - https://algramo.com/en/home/
* Instagram Algramo - https://www.instagram.com/algramo/?hl=en
* Brian Bauer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bauer-chile/
* Doughnut Economics for Ireland https://doughnuteconomics.org/news/14
* Outrage and Optimism podcast, episode 64 with Alan Jope, the CEO of Unilever