Munich Startup: What does We Carry do? What problem do you solve?
Nelly Mathias, We Carry: We Carry is the first deposit system for reusable packaging in bakeries. Currently in Germany, we use 4.6 billion disposable bags for purchasing baked goods. That’s quite a lot, and most of the time we only use the bags for a few minutes.
Our core service consists of offering a service for bakeries. We also call this “packaging-as-a-service”. We handle provision, collection, and cleaning. Bakeries have no effort involved, but are able to offer an alternative to disposable packaging. For the end customer, it works simply with a deposit – comparable to bottle deposits.
Munich Startup: But that already exists!
Nelly Mathias: Yes and no! Reusable bags for bread and similar items are indeed available for purchase everywhere. But that’s exactly the problem. We all have such a bag somewhere at home. Most of the time we can’t find it anymore or forget it when we want to buy baked goods.
Buy a new one every time? That’s unattractive. Both economically and ecologically. That’s why We Carry makes a solution available at the point of sale that we already know – namely buying and transporting baked goods in a fabric bag.
We Carry: Fighting disposable bags
Munich Startup: What’s your founding story?
Nelly Mathias: At my parents’ place, disposable paper bags are scattered all over the kitchen. Mainly for our family dog, who then gets fed old bread. That always bothered me terribly. Plus, I then realized that I myself also keep reaching for disposable bags. Because I don’t have my bag with me again. Mischa felt the same way. That’s why we got together and developed the idea for We Carry.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Nelly Mathias: It certainly takes time to really let the reusable idea mature in conversations with bakeries. Many introduced appropriate deposit cups for coffee and so on in early 2023 as part of the mandatory reusable offering requirement. This often brought mixed feelings among the businesses.
We therefore want to really establish an approach that involves no effort directly in the business. If deposit cups often need to be rinsed directly in the bakery, we also cover that part. Nevertheless, we must repeatedly address these fears about potential additional work from reusables. Because in the end, reusables make sense not only ecologically but also economically.
Comprehensive offering for Munich and other cities
Munich Startup: Where do you want to be in one year, where in five years?
Nelly Mathias: By the end of 2024, we will have established our reusable solution in two other German cities – including the logistics processes in the background. Additionally, in our home base Munich, we will really make a comprehensive impression and be available in many bakery chains. On the technology side, the serialization of our reusable bags will be completed by mid-year.
In five years, we are an established and demonstrably sustainable alternative to disposable packaging in Germany and at least one other European market. More than 20 percent of all baked goods sales in Germany take place via reusables in We Carry bags.
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Nelly Mathias: We really can’t imagine a better location to found a company. The ecosystem is huge and it also helps you become more well-known. That in turn makes building a network of supporters and potential investors much easier.
Munich Startup: Public transport or bicycle?
Nelly Mathias: Absolutely bicycle! Not least because we currently handle the provision and collection of our reusable bags in the city area with a cargo bike. That’s sometimes exhausting, but a lot of fun!
