Best of Earth911 Podcast: Globechain Founder & CEO May Al-Karooni On Expanding U.S. Reuse Markets

We can all take decisive action to protect the environment: reusing goods instead of sending them to landfills. By passing items on to others, whether through family, businesses, or community efforts, we avoid the need for new resources and reduce carbon emissions. Our guest, May Al-Karooni, shares her story about founding Globechain.com, the largest dedicated reuse marketplace in the world, with just £800 (about $1,000). She aims to build a platform that enables worldwide reuse of excess inventory and lightly used goods. Globechain.com facilitates connections between corporations, charities, and individuals to repurpose a wide range of items. It prevents usable goods from contributing to landfill waste and supports non-profits and individuals by offering access to free items.

May explains how over 10,000 member organizations participate, and the unique economics that make like-new items free to those who can use them. Companies pay to list what they give away, receiving environmental reporting and sustainability credits for ESG reporting. If you’ve thought about starting your own reuse company, May’s journey provides a blueprint you’ll want to consult. You can learn more about Globechain at https://globechain.com

Then, take some time to learn more about the reuse movement:

Editor’s Note: This show originally aired on March 11, 2024 and was made a “Best of” podcast in June 2024.