Blue Earth Summit

Building a Waste-Less Future: Gianfranco and Kvatt’s Journey Toward Circular E-Commerce

In the next episode of the Blue Earth Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Gianfranco, the founder of Kvatt, a pioneering climate tech company revolutionising the e-commerce landscape with sustainable packaging solutions. His journey from industrial design to becoming a climate-conscious entrepreneur is both inspiring and enlightening.

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A Personal Mission to Tackle E-Commerce Waste

Gianfranco’s story begins in Switzerland, where he grew up with a keen interest in design. His career took him to New York, where he was exposed to the rapidly expanding world of e-commerce. It was during his time there that he had the eye-opening moment that would shape the future of Kvatt. After a Christmas season filled with mountains of packaging, Gianfranco realised that the e-commerce industry was not just growing,it was fueling a massive waste problem.

“I saw the stacks of packaging in my living room and thought, there has to be a better way,” Gianfranco shared. This moment of clarity led him to study the impact of packaging waste in e-commerce during his academic years, which eventually culminated in the founding of Kvatt.

 

Cracking the Code: Circular E-Commerce for a Sustainable Future

Fast forward to today, and Kvatt is on the cusp of major growth. After years of R&D, the company has successfully developed a circular packaging system that is set to disrupt the wasteful norms of e-commerce. The service allows customers to choose returnable packaging at checkout, with an easy return system that minimises environmental impact while also saving businesses money on packaging costs.

“We want to make circularity simple and accessible,” Gianfranco explained. By offering consumers the choice to opt for returnable packaging, Kvatt is actively reducing waste and creating a sustainable model that benefits both businesses and customers. Their mission is not only to reduce single-use packaging but to make it more affordable and accessible than traditional options.

 

The Business Model: Empowering Consumers, Supporting Retailers

Kvatt’s model hinges on consumer choice, an important element that differentiates them from others in the space. At checkout, consumers can opt to pay a small fee for returnable packaging, which supports a circular system where packaging is reused, refurbished, and returned to the business supply chain. This approach not only reduces waste but also helps businesses save on packaging costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

For businesses, Kvatt offers significant benefits, including reducing packaging costs and mitigating taxes related to packaging waste. Retailers also gain the advantage of aligning their operations with consumer demand for more sustainable practices, which is an increasingly important aspect of their branding.

 

The Road Ahead: Growth, Innovation, and Impact

Kvatt has already secured exciting partnerships with premium brands, including Toast Clothing, Universal Works, and Surplus, marking the beginning of their mission to scale circular packaging across the fashion industry. Gianfranco and his team have also been working with some of the biggest global retailers to drive R&D and validate their system at a larger scale.

With a successful product launch behind them, Kvatt is now focused on expanding its offering to more brands and growing its user base. “We’re looking at onboarding more retailers and expanding into new industries. The ultimate goal is to have circular packaging become the new standard in e-commerce,” said Gianfranco.

 

Kvatt’s Vision: A Circular Economy for the Long Term

Gianfranco is not just focused on solving the immediate waste issue in e-commerce. He envisions a future where the principles of circularity are embedded in the fabric of our consumer economy. “The longer-term opportunity relies on our ability to innovate and lower the cost of circular systems,” he explained. By doing so, Kvatt will make sustainable options the easy and affordable choice for everyone.

Kvatt’s journey is an inspiring example of how technology and innovation can address one of the most pressing issues of our time—e-commerce waste. With a tech-driven model, strong brand partnerships, and a dedicated team, Kvatt is set to transform the way we think about packaging and sustainability in the retail sector.

 

Blue Earth Ventures and Kvatt: A Partnership for Change

As Kvatt joins the Blue Earth Ventures community, we are excited to support them on their fundraising journey and help them scale their innovative solutions. Kvatt will be attending the Blue Earth Forum during London Climate Action Week and the Blue Earth Summit in October, where they will be engaging with investors, partners, and collaborators to accelerate their growth.

We look forward to seeing the amazing impact Kvatt will continue to have in driving circularity within the fashion and retail sectors. Their journey is only just beginning, and Blue Earth is proud to be part of it.

For more updates on Kvatt’s journey and to connect with them at our upcoming events, stay tuned to Blue Earth and follow their growth in the sustainability space.