Retail

Startup installs machines to dispense name brand cleaning products

September 2, 2020

Algramo, a Chilean startup that provides vending machines that dispense staple products such as household cleaners "by the gram," launched its first U.S.-based refill vending machine pilots in multiple locations across New York City, according to a press release.

The machine's refill system allows customers to purchase cleaning products at an affordable price.

The various systems dispense cleaning products including Clorox Splash-less Cleaning Bleach and Pine-Sol Multi-Surface Cleaner, Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap from Colgate-Palmolive Co. and hand sanitizer from EcoLogic Solutions.

The pilots are taking place at Essex Market in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Building 77 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and The Laundry in Brooklyn. Harnessing the power of digital technology, Algramo's refill system is designed to provide incentives to reuse, improve operations and strengthen customer relationships and the community. The low-contact system minimizes touchpoints between customers and their purchase of a product and getting it home.

"These pilots will be invaluable in proving the viability and superiority of refill models that eliminate the need for single-use plastic packaging and address social and economic barriers to more sustainable options," José Manuel Moller, CEO and founder of Algramo, said in the press release.

"Algramo is on the forefront of a new retail experience; their tech-enabled refill system optimizes the customer experience and meets the growing demand from customers for convenient, accessible and waste-free solutions. We are seeing a lot of market demand for this solution," says Bridget Croke, managing director at Closed Loop Partners and Algramo board member. Closed Loop Partners is the lead investor in Algramo.

Image courtesy of Closed Loop Partners.