Zuleyka Strasner: Now at your Doorstep — Zero Waste Groceries
Hi everyone! I’m Spiffy, your favorite interplanetary journalist reporting from Planet Earth. I’ve been watching out for entrepreneurs creating opportunities for responsible consumption. Today I’m going to learn how one company is on a mission to remove plastic waste from our food system! Join me as I welcome Zuleyka Strasner, founder and CEO of Zero Grocery.
Spiffy: Welcome, Zuleyka! I’m so excited to hear how you’re addressing the challenge of plastic waste in our food system! Can you tell me about your work?
Zuleyka: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Zero Grocery is on a mission to remove plastic from the food system. Most global plastic waste comes from food consumption, so we are changing the way we consume food. We are the first plastic-free online grocery store in the US. This means that your groceries and everyday goods — everything from fresh produce and prepared foods to pantry staples to home and personal care goods — are delivered to you without any trash. We like to think of ourselves as the modern-day milk wo(man) — with more variety and a lot more tech. We deliver products in reusable glass jars and pick them up with your next delivery.
Spiffy: It’s like harkening back to the Earth’s good old days! Tell me, Zuleyka, what was your motivation to do this?
Zuleyka: Well, Spiffy, I launched Zero in November 2019. After living plastic-free for 18 months, I felt inspired and motivated to create a more seamless solution for zero-waste and conscious consumption. I realized very quickly that it was too hard (or too expensive) to make decisions that are good for the planet, and when I spoke to others, it was clear I wasn’t alone. So I started Zero to empower people to protect the planet as they shop for groceries and everyday items — without sacrificing convenience, quality or cost.
Spiffy: Phenomenal! How are you and Zero working at creating a more equitable world?
Zuleyka: This is such an important question, Spiffy. There’s not enough space! I’ll focus on a couple of things. First, we empower and embrace underdogs at Zero. As a Black trans woman, I’ve been overlooked, second-guessed, and cast aside. I know how that feels. I believe everyone has excellence in them; they just need believers. This is one reason we partner with R3 Score to provide jobs to people who were formerly incarcerated or have past criminal records. Second, I speak up — we, as a company, speak up! And we always tie our words to action, whether celebrating Blackness or supporting and giving back to the communities where we operate. As an example, we launch in Los Angeles, CA on February 10, 2021, and for two months, we’ll donate one meal to The Midnight Mission for every order.
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