Issue #27: Interview with Ridwell’s Twin Cities Community Launcher
Meet Vasiliki Papanikolopoulos!
I’m excited to share the first interview for Choosing Eco!
In Issue #19, I talked about a company called Ridwell. We’ve been using them for a few months to help responsibly get rid of plastic film, batteries, and other hard-to-get-rid-of items.
We’ve told neighbors about it and have been seeing boxes on front steps in our neighborhood and area more regularly.
I reached out to the Twin Cities Community Launcher, Vasiliki Papanikolopoulos, to talk about Ridwell and how it is impacting our cities.
1. How/ why was Minneapolis chosen as the next expansion city for Ridwell?
It was a combination of factors! The first is that Ridwell launches based on community interest and there was a significant number of people here in the Twin Cities who had signed up on the waitlist. And the Ridwell team admired how forward-thinking the community here is in terms of recycling and reuse.
2. How many neighborhoods in the city are participating?
We are constantly expanding! At the moment, we are serving 34 zip codes across the Twin Cities including Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis Park and Edina.
3. What local businesses are you partnering with?
It’s been a lot of fun to partner with like-minded local businesses and organizations such as Tare Market, doodle bird design + gifts and most recently the Loppet Foundation.
4. What can members do to ensure our stuff is able to be recycled/ etc. properly? For example: are there limitations to what plastics can be taken? What if they’re dirty? Etc.
Great question! Plastic film is typically the most asked-about category just because there are so many types of plastic. Anyone curious to learn more about what is and isn’t plastic film can watch this video for a 101!
5. What is your role with Ridwell?
I am the Community Launcher for the Twin Cities. I started in October when we were exploring a launch here as well as in other cities across the country.
6. What is your favorite thing about Ridwell that others may not know about?
My favorite thing about Ridwell is how it creates an invitation to talk about sustainability and consumption.
7. Why should someone consider becoming a Ridwell member?
Those who are looking for an easier way to waste less should consider becoming a Ridwell member and having our team come pick up those items that are hard-to-recycle and reusable to bring to partners.
8. If you were able to teach someone one sustainability trick to make their lives easier at home, what would it be?
It’s pretty fascinating when we start inquiring about the materials within every item in our household. Will it biodegrade? Is it synthetic? Can it be repaired? How many different types of materials are combined?
9. What is a sustainability choice you’ve made that has greatly impacted your life?
I’ve come to learn just how important it is to examine what we buy - it has the power to influence change.
10. Favorite part of the Twin Cities? Restaurant, park, etc.?
Most recently, I was fascinated by the forsythia bushes at the Sculpture Garden - how incredible!
Ridwell is currently available in the Twin Cities; Seattle; Portland, OR; Denver; and launching soon in Madison, WI. You can follow Ridwell on Instagram and Facebook.
If you’re interested in trying out Ridwell, you can get your first month for free.