Jonathan Étienne Charrier Urges Shoppers to Back Traceable Goods and Cut Packaging Waste
Jonathan Étienne Charrier, founder of Charrier Global Imports, is raising awareness around a growing problem that sits inside everyday shopping: short-life packaging and unclear sourcing. Charrier is encouraging consumers and small retailers to choose products with clearer origins, fewer layers of packaging, and more consistent standards from shelf to shipment.
Charrier’s perspective comes from years spent working with producers across Europe, Africa, and South America and building a curated import catalogue that supplies boutique retailers across North America. His approach centres on stability, repeatable systems, and supplier relationships that hold up under pressure.
“This is not about stocking everything. It is about choosing the right things and building the systems to support them,” Charrier said.
He added, “Curated catalogues depend on reliability. Without stable supply, curation falls apart.”
Why traceability and packaging matter right now
Packaging waste is rising fast, and much of it is tied to short-lived plastics.
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Global plastic waste more than doubled from 2000 to 2019, reaching 353 million tonnes.
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Packaging accounts for about 40% of global plastic waste, according to the OECD.
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After accounting for losses, only 9% of plastic waste is ultimately recycled, per the OECD.
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The World Bank estimates global waste generation will rise from 2.01 billion tonnes in 2016 to 3.40 billion tonnes in 2050.
Charrier says this issue also affects small producers and small retailers. When packaging is excessive or fragile, shipping damage rises. When sourcing is vague, trust drops. Both problems push costs onto the smallest players.
“Growth feels good. Systems protect growth,” Charrier said.
What Jonathan Étienne Charrier is advocating for
Charrier is urging a simple standard for everyday decisions: pick goods that are easier to trace, and packaging that is easier to manage.
He is also pushing for a practical shift in how people judge product quality. Not just taste, craft, or trend, but whether a product can be sourced and delivered consistently without excess waste.
“More products do not equal more revenue,” Charrier said. “Complex catalogues slow operations.”
What people can do on their own
Charrier is inviting consumers, home cooks, and small-shop buyers to take action without paying for services. The goal is fewer wasteful habits and clearer buying choices that reward responsible supply chains.
The 10-step DIY action list
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Choose one item you buy often and switch to a lower-packaging version.
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Avoid multi-layer packs when you have an option in paper, glass, or metal.
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Batch your online orders to reduce boxes and filler.
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Reuse jars and tins five times before recycling them.
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Ask one question before buying: who made this, and where.
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Prefer brands and shops that name the producer or region on the label.
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Pick refill formats when available, especially for staples like tea and spices.
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Buy larger sizes for items you finish regularly to cut packaging per use.
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Keep a “packaging note” list in your phone and record the worst offenders.
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Share one good low-waste swap with a friend or a local shop.
A 30-day tracker to build the habit
Week 1: Count
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Count how many packages enter your home.
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Pick the top two that create the most waste.
Week 2: Swap
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Replace one high-waste item with a lower-waste option.
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Batch one purchase you would normally split.
Week 3: Trace
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Ask who made it at least three times this week.
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Buy one item only if the origin is clear.
Week 4: Repeat
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Repeat the best swap from Week 2.
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Reuse five containers.
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Teach one person your simplest rule for choosing better packaging.
Charrier is asking readers to try the 30-day tracker, share the DIY list, and make one swap that sticks. Start with a single product you buy often. Then repeat.
“Start small, but start with intention,” Charrier said.
About Jonathan Étienne Charrier
Jonathan Charrier is a Montreal-based entrepreneur and founder of Charrier Global Imports. He built the company from a small warehouse operation into a curated supplier for boutique retailers across North America, with a focus on consistent quality, long-term supplier relationships, and responsible sourcing practices.
Media Contact
Contact Person: Jonathan Charrier
Email: Send Email
City: Montreal
State: Quebec
Country: Canada
Website: https://www.jonathancharriermontreal.com/
