This summer I joined Loop, a global reuse platform created by TerraCycle to eliminate single‑use packaging and plastic waste. Loop partners with leading brands and retailers to create closed‑loop systems that allow consumers to buy products in durable, returnable containers. As an intern on the Brand and Retail Partnerships team, one of my primary responsibilities was leading a multi‑brand consumer research initiative with CITEO, France’s eco‑tax agency. I designed and deployed in‑store studies across major retailers, developed questionnaires, supervised field data collection, and cleaned and cross‑analyzed about 400 data points. I delivered customized reports to each brand that identified behavioral and logistical barriers to reuse and recommended improvements to packaging, collection systems, and marketing. These findings helped brand partners qualify for public subsidies, refine reusable‑packaging pilots, and align with Loop’s mission. Beyond this core project, I drafted a white paper on Loop’s impact, translated technical marketing materials for a major e‑commerce launch, and supported funding applications by synthesizing regulatory information. I also visited Loop’s logistics facility to see how returned containers are sorted, cleaned, and recirculated, gaining a full‑cycle view of the company’s operations.

My dual degree in Economics at Sciences Po and Sustainable Development at Columbia equipped me with interdisciplinary tools for this role. Coursework in economics and environmental policy helped me understand France’s eco‑tax framework and place Loop’s work within broader circular‑economy and climate policies. Training in sustainability management and systems thinking allowed me to analyze complex ecosystems and balance environmental ambition with business feasibility. Designing the consumer study drew on my research methods training at Sciences Po: I structured the survey to collect quantitative and qualitative data and ensure actionable insights. A Columbia course on climate change law informed my understanding of how public incentives and regulatory frameworks shape corporate behavior, which guided my recommendations. Cultural fluency also mattered. Loop is headquartered in Paris but has an American startup mindset and a multicultural European team. Having studied in both French and U.S. contexts helped me navigate different languages and expectations and bridge strategic goals with European regulatory realities.

One personal challenge was working professionally in French for the first time. Although I am a native speaker, I had never written reports or interpreted regulations in French before. Early on I hesitated when writing or discussing complex ideas. Over time I gained confidence and became comfortable managing projects and communicating in French. Another challenge was adapting to Loop’s dynamic, lightly structured environment. With no formal internship program, I had to define my role. I proposed tasks, took ownership of deliverables, and adapted quickly to shifting priorities, balancing research, white papers, translation, and logistics. This experience taught me to work independently, navigate ambiguity, and stay agile.

This internship showed me how sustainability works in practice, not just as policy goals but as operational systems that must be economically viable and user‑friendly. I gained insight into barriers to scaling circular models—packaging design limits, consumer behavior, reverse logistics costs, and financial trade‑offs—and how targeted policy incentives can accelerate progress. I strengthened my skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, and data‑driven impact analysis. I learned to navigate ambiguity, independence, and trust building, deepening my commitment to work at the intersection of policy, business strategy, and environmental impact.