If you don’t like wearing gloves everywhere you go during the pandemic, the owner of a Richmond-based rug and zero-waste film company may have a handy solution.
Collis Verdicchio, who owns and operates Diversion Zero Waste on Mitchell Island in north Richmond, has created a tool made of copper, called the Comate.
The Comate is small enough to fit on your keyring and is designed to open all manner of objects and push all kinds of buttons – touch-free.
It can be used at elevators to ATMs, to open doors and can even be used to carry your grocery store bags, again, without the need for touch.
And, it’s made from 100 per cent copper, which has been recognized as having anti-viral properties, with experts acknowledging the likes of COVID-19 surviving only for a few hours on the surface, while lasting much longer on other metals.
“I started noticing a lot of used gloves being littered around Vancouver and thought there could be a more sustainable way to help people reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Verdicchio.
“After doing some research, I created The Comate. Its primary function right now is to help people go touch-free when opening doors and pressing buttons.
“However, it was important for me to make this useful even after COVID-19, which is why it also doubles as a bottle opener and bag holder.”
Like so many other companies, business has slowed dramatically during the pandemic and Verdicchio said manufacturing The Comate “keeps me and many other Canadians working…We are proud to be 100 per cent Canadian made.”
The Comate ($34.99) is available online for shipping nationwide, with part proceeds going to the Food Banks of Canada.
For more information, go online to Thecomate.com or @the.comate on Instagram.
