Toronto, Ontario - Welcoming more than 1.3 million animal enthusiasts each year, your Toronto Zoo strives to implement custom, creative solutions to limit the environmental impact of its guests. Building upon its successful reusable packaging initiative, Toronto Zoo is excited to announce the expansion of its sustainability efforts through a collaboration with Coca-Cola, Compass Group Canada, and Friendlier. Visitors can now enjoy their favourite meals and Coca-Cola beverages in reusable containers and cups, which will support the reduction of single-use waste at the Zoo and champion progress toward zero-waste dining.
This enhanced program is available at select dining locations, including Africa Restaurant, Simba Safari Lodge, and Caribou Café. Guests purchasing meals and fountain drinks will pay a refundable deposit, which can be reclaimed via the Friendlier platform or donated to support the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy. The used containers and cups are collected in designated return bins, professionally sanitized then recirculated, reducing single use waste.
"Our vision at your Toronto Zoo is a world where people, wildlife and wild spaces thrive, and sustainability at your Zoo is a key factor as we work towards our goal of becoming a net-zero organization” said Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo. “Partnering with Friendlier to expand this program was an easy decision as their program is effective, and aligns with our goals. Through this collaboration with Coca-Cola, Compass Group Canada, and Friendlier, we’re proud to offer a simple, impactful way for guests to reduce waste while supporting wildlife conservation."
Friendlier, a Canadian, female-founded company established in 2020, specializes in circular reusable packaging solutions. Its containers and cups are designed for safe reuse, significantly decreasing the reliance on single-use products in food service environments.
“At Friendlier, our mission is to deliver scalable, sustainable solutions that align with the evolving needs of both consumers and organizations,” said Kayli Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Friendlier. “This collaboration with the Toronto Zoo, Coca-Cola, and Compass Group Canada represents a strategic step forward in driving measurable impact and advancing our shared commitment to reducing single-use waste.”
A global leader in the beverage industry, Coca-Cola is continually innovating packaging solutions to deliver products to consumers in a variety of ways and working with industry partners and communities to help reduce packaging waste.
“Reuse is an important part of our packaging sustainability journey,” said Mika Unterman, Director of Sustainability Capabilities and Planning at Coca-Cola Canada. “We’re excited to work with Friendlier to bring this program to the Toronto Zoo, allowing visitors to enjoy their favorite beverages while helping reduce packaging waste.”
Compass Group Canada, the Zoo's food service provider for over 20 years, plays a pivotal role in integrating these sustainable practices into daily operations. This initiative supports their Planet Promise commitment to achieve Net Zero Greenhouse Gas emissions globally by 2050.
"We’re guided by a strong commitment to sustainability. It's a meaningful part of how we work, serve, and innovate," said Jennifer Lambert, Director Sustainability, Compass Group Canada. "Expanding the reusable packaging program with our valued partners demonstrates our collective commitment to environmental stewardship."
The Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy, the official fundraising partner of Toronto Zoo, will directly benefit from the program, as guests can donate their deposit refunds to support vital wildlife conservation efforts. This initiative not only reduces waste but also fosters a deeper connection between visitors and the Zoo's mission to protect wildlife and wild spaces.
Pictured: Compass Group Canada, the Toronto Zoo, Coca-Cola and Friendlier
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Together, Compass Group Canada, the Toronto Zoo, Coca-Cola and Friendlier are demonstrating that it is possible to reduce single-use cup waste while elevating the beverage experience. This project is projected to divert over 120,000 cups from landfill, based on prior year sales, and will serve as a case study for other sites across Canada.
For more information about the program and how to participate, visit www.friendlier.com/toronto-zoo.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca‑Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Fuze Tea, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
For Coca-Cola media inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]
About Compass Group Canada
Compass Group Canada is the leading provider of foodservice and support services in Canada, with over 25,000 associates across 2,300 locations nationwide. Their expertise spans diverse sectors and specialties, including sports venues, dining rooms, schools, hospitals, oil rigs, remote camps, vending services, and facilities management. Compass Group Canada on a mission to be the country’s most innovative foodservice provider, aiming to redefine the industry through cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking approaches that positively impact people, performance, and purpose. Compass Group Canada is committed to using their size and scale for good and has established a Planet Promise commitment of Net Zero GHG by 2050. Through tailored hospitality solutions and dedication to excellence, Compass Group Canada is shaping the future of foodservice and support services in Canada.
Compass Group Canada has been recognized as one of Canada's Best Workplaces™ in Retail and Hospitality in 2025, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 and has earned numerous other workplace culture recognitions including Canada's Most Admired™ Corporate Cultures (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021), Great Place to Work® certification (2019-2026), Best Workplaces™ in Canada (2025, 2024, 2022), Best Workplaces™ with Most Trusted Executives (2025, 2024), and GTA Top Employer (2024, 2023, 2021). To learn more, visit www.compass-canada.com, LinkedIn and Instagram.
For Compass Group Canada media inquiries, please contact:
Compass Group Canada
Joylin Pinto – Senior Manager, Corporate Communication
[email protected]
About Friendlier
Friendlier is the leading clean-tech in Canada, dedicated to simplifying the switch from single-use to reusable packaging. With our innovative turnkey reusable packaging solution, we aim to revolutionize the way businesses approach packaging by making sustainability easy and accessible. Our mission is to drive positive environmental impact while offering convenience and cost savings.
Friendlier was founded in 2019 by Kayli Smith and Jacqueline Hutchings, Chemical Engineering graduates from the University of Waterloo with a passion for sustainability. Friendlier aims to build a future where reusable packaging can replace single-use packaging. Their high-quality reusable food and beverage containers, simple app to claim deposits, and convenient returns make it easy for users to enjoy their favourite meals without the waste.
To learn more, visit www.friendlier.com, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
For Friendlier media inquiries, please contact:
Nicolette Tsafantakis
Marketing Manager, Friendlier
[email protected]
About Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo’s mission is to connect people, animals, conservation science and traditional knowledge to fight extinction and our vision is a world where people, wildlife and wild spaces thrive.
An iconic tourist attraction and Conservation organization, the Toronto Zoo boasts a number of leading programs for helping wildlife and their natural habitats – from species reintroduction to reproductive research. A world-class educational centre for people of all ages, the Toronto Zoo is open every day including December 25 and attracts approximately 1.3 million guests each year.
Toronto Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The Zoo has also achieved the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Certificate of Good Animal Practice® and is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA).
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