Jonathan Charrier Launches the "Less Waste, More Traceability" Pledge for Imports

Montreal-based entrepreneur Jonathan Étienne Charrier is introducing a personal pledge to cut packaging waste and raise sourcing transparency in specialty imports.

Quebec, Canada, 10th March 2026, ZEX PR WIRE - Jonathan Charrier, founder of Charrier Global Imports, today announced a personal pledge focused on reducing packaging waste and strengthening traceability across the specialty import supply chain. The pledge is designed to turn everyday importing choices into repeatable habits that cut waste, protect product quality, and support long-term supplier relationships.

The pledge is grounded in a simple operating reality: a curated catalogue only works when the supply chain stays stable, clean, and consistent. As Charrier has described in his work, "This is not about stocking everything. It is about choosing the right things and building the systems to support them." He has also emphasised that, "Growth feels good. Systems protect growth," and that "Curated catalogues depend on reliability. Without stable supply, curation falls apart." The pledge follows the same logic in a new area: waste, packaging, and traceability standards that hold up under scale.

Why this matters right now

Packaging and waste pressures are rising across retail and food supply chains.

Global plastic waste more than doubled from 2000 to 2019, reaching 353 million tonnes.

Nearly two-thirds of plastic waste comes from short-lived plastics, and packaging alone accounts for about 40% of plastic waste.

In Quebec, food bank demand has surged. Food banks responded to nearly 3.1 million requests for food assistance in March 2025, according to Hunger Count 2025 reporting.

Moisson Montréal reported distributing 23.7 million kilograms of food and essential items in 2024-2025, a 23% increase compared with 2023-2024.

The pledge: seven personal commitments

The pledge is built as concrete behaviours, not broad intentions. Charrier will apply these actions to sourcing, packaging decisions, and how products are prepared for retailers and direct customers.

1. Approve packaging like a product. No new item enters the catalogue without a packaging review that checks recyclability, right-sizing, and unnecessary layers.

2. Switch one line at a time to lower-waste formats. Each quarter, select one product line and reduce packaging weight or layers, then document the change for retailers.

3. Standardise case packs to cut filler. Use consistent box sizes and case configurations to reduce void fill and minimise damage in transit.

4. Require origin notes for every batch. Maintain a batch-level origin record for each shipment, including producer details and key handling requirements.

5. Prefer long-term supplier agreements that include packaging targets. When renewing or signing agreements, include a clear packaging reduction goal and timeline.

6. Audit returns for waste signals. Review damage and returns monthly to identify packaging failures, then fix the root cause rather than adding more material.

7. Support food access locally, consistently. Maintain annual support for Moisson Montréal and link surplus-safe product handling to donation-ready standards when feasible and compliant.

A practical "Do it yourself" toolkit

Anyone can reduce packaging waste and increase traceability in their own buying habits. No services required.

1. Buy fewer, better items. Choose products you will finish, not ones that will sit.

2. Pick low-packaging options first. Loose goods, refill formats, and larger sizes usually reduce packaging per use.

3. Ask one simple question when shopping. Where was this made, and by whom? If the label is vague, choose a clearer option.

4. Support shops that name their producers. Retailers that list producers often have tighter sourcing standards.

5. Choose materials that recycle locally. Prioritise paper, cardboard, glass, and metal when your area supports it.

6. Avoid multi-layer packaging when you can. Pouches and mixed-material packs are often hard to recycle.

7. Batch your orders. Fewer shipments means fewer boxes and less filler.

8. Reuse packaging twice. Boxes, jars, and tins get a second life in storage, gifting, or organising.

9. Learn your local recycling rules in 10 minutes. Most contamination comes from guessing.

10. Track one habit for 30 days. Pick one change (like fewer shipments) and make it automatic.

30-day progress tracker

Use this simple tracker to build momentum. Keep it on paper or in a notes app.

Week 1 (Days 1-7): Awareness

Record how many packages enter your home.

Note the top two items with the most packaging.

Week 2 (Days 8-14): Swap

Replace one high-packaging item with a lower-packaging option.

Batch at least one order instead of placing separate orders.

Week 3 (Days 15-21): Ask and choose

Ask "who made this" at least three times (label, website, or retailer).

Choose the clearer-source option at least once.

Week 4 (Days 22-30): Lock in

Repeat the best swap from Week 2.

Reuse five containers or boxes.

Share the toolkit with one person.

At the end of Day 30, write down:

One change you will keep.

One item you will stop buying due to packaging.

One shop or brand you trust more now.

Readers are invited to take the pledge, try the toolkit for 30 days, and share the actions with friends, shops, or community groups. The goal is simple: less waste, clearer sourcing, and smarter habits that scale.

About Jonathan Étienne Charrier
Jonathan Étienne Charrier is a Montreal-based entrepreneur and founder of Charrier Global Imports, an import and export company serving boutique retailers across North America with specialty foods, artisanal goods, and wellness products sourced from producers in Europe, Africa, and South America. He is known for hands-on sourcing, long-term supplier relationships, and operational standards focused on quality and sustainable practices.

This release was published on openPR.