Infinity Goods is fighting plastic pollution in the grocery space

Colorado has been on a mission to reduce the use of plastic as several cities across the state have banned (or are considering banning) the use of plastic bags in retail and grocery stores. Which is why a new startup, Infinity Goods is looking to eliminate waste in how groceries are packaged.

Infinity Goods created a zero-waste grocery delivery service that sources and delivers a wide selection of food and household goods in reusable containers. Then, like the milkman, they retrieve, clean and reuse the containers for future deliveries, taking plastic packaging waste out of the grocery experience.

Anne Behlouli, the program manager at The Alliance Center, sat down with Ashwin Ramdas, the founder of Infinity Goods, to learn more about the company.

Best for Colorado: How did sustainability emerge as a priority within your company, and how has this evolved or improved over time?

Ashwin Ramadas: We are first and foremost a mission-driven company. We created Infinity Goods specifically to fight plastic pollution. Our top priority is diverting packaging waste, so it’s at the heart of every decision we make as a company. Whether we’re figuring out what items to add to our online, zero-waste marketplace or which company to partner with next, we base decisions on what prevents the most packaging waste.

BFCO: What is most rewarding and challenging about this aspect of your organization’s work?

AR: The results have been very rewarding so far. In our first three and a half months of operation, we have prevented over 2,000 pieces of packaging waste from being created. Delivering food to the customer knowing that none of it will go to a landfill or become litter is the most fulfilling feeling.

BFCO: What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far and how did you overcome it?

AR: We have faced many challenges since starting our zero-waste grocery delivery service. The main hurdle was building a wide selection of products that our customers can get without the plastic waste. We want to be a one stop shop for all of your customer’s grocery needs, so that means offering more than just what you can find in a grocery store’s bulk section. To overcome this challenge, we have partnered with over a dozen Colorado businesses to source specialty foods before they get wrapped in single-use plastic. Because of these partnerships we can offer foods like tofu, cheese, energy bars, ice cream and much more without the packaging waste.

BFCO: Tell us about how you were initially connected with the Best for Colorado program.

AR: We learned about the Best for Colorado program at the Denver Sustainability Summit, and we were eager to join. We want to be part of the coalition working to bring a cleaner, greener future to our state. This program is important for us because it validates our business’s mission and serves as a tool to help customers know we are mission-driven company focused on environmental sustainability.

BFCO: Can you describe any eye-opening experiences that Best for Colorado has presented?

AR: We want to partner with more companies and non-governmental organizations in the Best for Colorado program and also get the word out to more potential customers. The Best for Colorado program presents opportunities in both of these areas.

Best for Colorado is a program of the Alliance Center. It allows Colorado companies to measure and improve their social and environmental impact, regardless of where they are on their corporate social responsibility journey. Best for Colorado offers programming and tools for all Colorado companies, including B Corps, to improve their practices and connect participating companies with local resources, education and support

Anne Behlouli is the program manager at The Alliance Center.