The Story of a Circle

When we started designing our reusable takeaway food containers we weren’t even sure (as a small startup) that we would be able to source recycled plastic. And while our local manufacturer had worked with recycled plastic, each product is different.

So when we’d finally sourced our material, what we found during testing was that some containers would get a bit of what can only be described as an “oops” on it, caused by our unique materials. A mark that made the product look a bit distressed. Which isn’t the look we were going for.

So we adjusted our moulds to compensate for this. We created a frosted circle (about the size of a 20c coin) at what is known as the ‘gate point’ - this is where the machine that makes our containers injects the materials into our mould - and this circle helps smooth out those visual imperfections.

It’s also our way of making sure you know that this mark is not an accident and a part of the fabrication of our products. It also makes each one a little unique and special. We know we’re biased but we kind of love our beautiful oops. The Japanese call this Wabi-Sabi (which means a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection).

The circle also has a couple of practical benefits for our purpose - one is that it reduces the number of ‘rejects’ that we make. In manufacturing this rejected product pile can be big and the more successful you get the more waste you make. We really (really) hate waste here at RePlated HQ. So we want to minimise it any way we can. 

If that's got you wondering what we do with our small percentage of rejects that come out of manufacturing, well they have a few options for next life.

First, we see if there is anywhere they are needed. Right now some of our earliest tests are used as cupboard tidies at our manufacturers. They asked if we minded them being used and our answer was an enthusiastic YES!

After that we donate them to others in need. For example to animal shelters (WIRES or Zoos) to use for feeding (small) rescued animals. Then, after that, like all our products at the end of this life, we will take them, break them down and turn them into new objects. Right now we are working on a pioneering method of 3D printing them into cutlery. We call this our first next life. 

And all of these decisions - from the type of material we use, to how our products are intended to be used to what we do at the end of this life, is what makes us part of the circular economy.

As a business that is circular by design we also think having it there helps us remind you of that circularity (in a quiet unobtrusive way). So keep calm and circle on...

A picture of RePlateds reusable containers showing clearly the round spot in our lids