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The motivation for developing this business originated from a personal inconvenience of growing waste associated with takeaway and food delivery services. When taking away food, meals are typically packaged in single-use containers. These containers rarely get recycled and instead contribute significantly to environmental pollution.

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Eco-sprout offers a sustainable solution through a deposit-based reusable container system.

Customers receive their takeaway food in BPA-free reusable containers by paying a small deposit ($5-10). After use, they can easily return the containers at collection points to get their refund. The containers are then washed, sanitised and redistributed to partner restaurants.

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The rate of disposed waste is increasing.

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Australia’s biggest environmental challenge is the 1.8 billion tonnes of packaging waste produced every year. While South Australia has taken strong action through its Single-use Plastic Ban Law, the rapid growth of food delivery and takeaway services continues to create large amounts of disposable packaging.

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Eco-sprout provides a simple and effective reusable container system. It enables restaurants to lower packaging costs while enhancing their eco-friendly image, and provides customers with a convenient and rewarding way to make environmentally responsible choices.

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The vision of Eco-Sprout is to become a leading model of this circular economy across Australia, starting from Adelaide.

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(idcommunity,2025) the green area- where the population is crowded.

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The system will be launched through a pilot network of partner restaurants and supermarkets across central and suburban Adelaide. Return stations will be strategically located near high-traffic areas (shopping centres, universities and residential hubs).

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With the future geographical expansion expected to move towards the outer north (Munno Para West), the Adelaide Hills (Mount Barker), and the inner city. The number of return stations and partner restaurants will be strategically increased in those directions to ensure accessibility and convenience for users.

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Eco-sprout offers several value-added services that enhance both user experience and business efficiency. Through a reward and loyalty system, customers earn points, discounts, or cashback every time they return containers, making sustainable actions both easy and rewarding. The platform also ensures hygiene and safety with a certified cleaning process approved by South Australia Health, allowing users to check container cleaning history via QR code for full transparency.

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Primary competitors directly provide reusable container systems with similar operational models. Secondary competitors contribute to the broader circular economy through recycling, waste-sharing, or alternative sustainability initiatives. Tertiary competitors address wider environmental and community-based sustainability efforts.

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While other competitor businesses address recycling or waste reduction, Eco-sprout combines multiple unique features — QR-based tracking for transparency, return stations and a deposit-refund model that encourages consistent reuse. In addition, $1 from each $5 deposit is retained, with 50% of that amount donated to local environmental initiatives such as tree planting.

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A short-term:

- Launching a pilot program with local Adelaide restaurants to test and refine its deposit-based reusable container system.

-Gathering user feedback/ strengthening restaurant partnerships.

A long-term:

- Expanding its network by collaborating with major food delivery platforms.

-Capitalising on population growth in Greater Adelaide (up to 670,000 by 2050, including key areas (Munno Para West – Angle Vale, Mount Barker and the city centre)

-Supporting reforestation by contributing to the growth of local trees.

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Financial KPIs: monthly revenue growth, return rate of containers, and cost per wash and redistribution, indicating profitability and operational efficiency.

Environmental KPIs: the reduction of single-use plastic waste, measured by the number of containers reused per month and the total kilograms of plastic diverted from landfill.

Customer-based KPIs: assess engagement and satisfaction through app user retention rates, the number of active restaurant partners, and customer satisfaction surveys. (+ tracking partnership expansion and app downloads)

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Restaurants Subscription Model:

Basic Plan ($20/month): Includes 100 container rotations and basic pickup service.

Standard Plan ($50/month): Includes 300 rotations, branded eco-labelling on containers and priority pickup.

Premium Plan ($100/month): Unlimited container usage, data insights on customer sustainability impact, and promotional placement on the app.

Individual Users (pay per use):

No subscription model for individual users.

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Environmental Regulations & Consumer Demand (drivers):
Increasing government pressure to reduce single-use plastics, along with rising consumer awareness of sustainability, is encouraging businesses to adopt reusable systems to remain compliant and attract eco-conscious customers.

Behavioural change: Encouraging users to switch from convenient packaging to a reusable system requires.

Hygiene perception: Doubt the cleanliness or safety of reused containers.

Logistics complexity: Coordinating container collection, cleaning and redistribution across multiple locations (restaurants, delivery partners, return stations).

Technology adoption: Older or less tech-savvy users may find QR systems or digital refunds complicated.

Partnership alignment: Building and maintaining cooperation between restaurants, delivery platforms and supermarkets requires strong communication and shared values.

Initial setup cost: Establishing cleaning facilities, return points and tracking systems demands investment and efficient financial planning.

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The survey is conducted among high school students.

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Through the survey (primary research), we confirmed that respondents showed a positive attitude toward using eco-friendly packaging options and expressed willingness to use the service if additional benefits or rewards were provided.

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Through testing with two restaurants, we have confirmed that there is a willingness to adopt our business. Based on the interview, the cost of using disposable plastic containers is around $20 per month, which motivates these restaurants to subscribe to a regular container service.

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Eco-sprout operates through a QR-based digital system that manages deposit payments, refunds, and container tracking. The containers are BPA-free, durable and reusable. Eco-sprout orders in bulk (over 5,000 units per order) to reduce production costs, lowering the price to around USD $1.50 per container.

The business also relies on cleaning and sanitising machines, QR scanners and digital kiosks at return stations to maintain efficiency and convenience.

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Using critical and creative thinking, I analysed survey results, restaurant feedback, and financial data to identify real-world problems such as the high cost of single-use packaging and low consumer awareness of reusable options. Meanwhile, I generated innovative ideas through creative thinking, like a subscription-based model for restaurants, integrating digital tracking features and reward systems to encourage consistent participation.

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Who buys your offering?: Takeaway restaurants and café customers

Who uses your offering?: General consumers (takeaway users)

How often is the offering sold?: Each time a customer places a delivery order, repeatable

How often is the offering used?: About once or twice per week, repeat usage

Market size: Part of the takeaway market in Adelaide, initial target ~10–15% market share

Pricing: $5 per container, including $1 deposit, 50 cents donated to environmental initiatives