Foodservice Cateys 2024: Supplier Excellence Award – Cauli

Cauli, a climate technology start-up based in the UK, has been recognised for its mission to eliminate single-use packaging in the foodservice industry through circular solutions.

Cauli offers a range of products designed to streamline the transition to reusable packaging, including Internet of Things-enabled tracking technology, which monitors the life-cycle and usage of each item, and AI-powered reverse vending machines, which facilitate the return process by scanning and verifying used containers.

Cauli provides high-quality, durable containers that can withstand 400 uses. Customers borrow a food container or coffee cup, scan the QR code on the container using the Cauli mobile app, or tap a credit card at the checkout terminal, and when they are finished with the container, they return it within seven days to a
CauliKiosk, where the AI-powered machine processes the return.

The CauliKiosk launched this year and has significantly streamlined the process of returning reusable packaging. This cutting-edge technology has made returns more automated, accurate and user-friendly and, as a result, return rates have increased from 87% to 99%. The CauliKiosk eliminates the need for customers to use a phone or card and automatically refunds late returns, further minimising loss rates.

Cauli offers access to a comprehensive backend dashboard that delivers real-time data on usage and impact, including key metrics such as CO2 emissions and waste diverted, as well as water and electricity saved. By providing this data, Cauli enables organisations to measure their environmental impact and make informed decisions to enhance their sustainability efforts.

Over the past 12 months, Cauli has been instrumental in helping clients digitalise foodservice customer experiences by introducing an in-app loyalty programme and developing push menu notifications. The Cauli app also serves as a powerful tool for menu management and customer convenience. Operators can upload daily and monthly menus, allowing customers to view their options from their desks. This not only enhances the user experience by shortening decision-making and queueing times but also drives operational efficiency in the restaurants.

As testament to its supplier’s efforts, Cauli’s reuse system has helped operators reduce CO2 emissions by up to 92% and cut costs by 40%, compared to using commercial compostable packaging. Since its inception, Cauli has prevented over half a million pieces of single-use packaging from ending up in landfills, which is equivalent to filling 50 large lorries with waste. This significant achievement has not only lessened environmental impact but also transformed consumer behaviour and organisational culture, with 35% of partnered sites completely eliminating single-use packaging. These achievements make it a worthy winner of the Supplier Excellence Award.

What the judges said

“This is a company that has already within a short period of existence made a significant impact on reducing packaging waste to landfill.”

Gavin Hands

See previous winners of the award here