Vessel Works was founded in 2014 to expand systems thinking approaches in design and incubate innovations to redirect methods of production and consumption toward a more socially and environmentally vibrant future.
Vessel Works’ mission is to provide the vision and technical support needed to transition from the liner economy to the circular economy. To accomplish our mission we collaborate closely with communities, businesses, NGO’s, government and industry to design actionable initiatives and solutions to move toward circularity.
Check out one of our current project partners: Perpetual
Perpetual partners with cities, reuse service providers, and other stakeholders to implement immersive reuse systems that eliminate single-use disposables, starting with foodware.
Looking for one of our previous projects? Vessel Revolution Inc.
Vessel Works incubated the initial behavior research and in-store trials of Vessel Revolution Inc. Vessel Revolution Inc. graduated out on its own expanding from NYC, to Colorado & California, operating until 2021 when it became a part of other great brands doing good work in the reuse space!
Driving Change: U.S. FDA Foodcode for Reuse
To varying degrees, the lack of FDA foodcode, state, and local regulatory allowances or clarity surrounding reuse and food safety has been a hinderance to the implementation of reusable foodware. To address this issue, Dr. Dagny Tucker chaired the Conference for Food Protection “Safe Use of Reusables Committee” from 2020 - 2023. The committee closed its tenure with success in passing new FDA code language that will be inclusive of consumer, business and 3rd party reusable containers as well as creating a Guidance document with methods of safe implementation of reusable foodware.
Thought Leadership & Collaborations
Vessel Works is committed to sharing knowledge assets and insights to further circularity. To that end we participate in a large number of collaborations to generate shared knowledge, tools and opportunities to transition to reuse.
OPLN - ZERO WASTE EUROPE - NEW ERA - UP SCORECARD - PR3
THROWAWAY CULTURE
Our tendency for disposability has become part of the fast-paced lifestyle we live in; it's become no big deal to use something for 15 minutes and then ditch it.
RESOURCE DEPLETION
The production of paper and plastic single-use disposable items cause a lot of harm and impact to humans, animals, the ocean and the environment.
SOCIAL IMPACT
Vulnerable populations often deal the most with harmful waste. Circularity replaces the make-take-waste model and removes waste and pollution from communities while providing living-wage jobs.
COMPOSTABLES
Why not just focus on compostables?
Hint: compostable foodware is neither zero waste nor chemical free!
