When we at RePack showcase our reusable packaging to experienced professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives from leading retailers, brand owners, or logistics companies, their initial reaction is often: "This is great and exactly what the industry needs. I love it, but it won't work for us."
RePack was the first reusable packaging service for e-commerce, with its first customers in 2013. Since then, we have encountered various arguments for and against reusable packaging.
Many believe reusable packaging takes too much time to pack and poses safety risks. There are also concerns about consumer behaviour that could lead to low return rates.
Questions often arise, such as, "Does reusable packaging really work on a larger scale? What are the associated costs?"
Most professionals want to contribute positively to society, but we acknowledge that it cannot compromise operational efficiency and capability. If it does, the solution is not good enough, and we put our hand up and admit that's been the case for most reusable packaging.
In this article, we discuss some hard truths about the challenges that hinder the implementation and scaling of reusable packaging.
We address the pain points and highlight difficult conversations that need to take place with the relevant stakeholders.
For those dedicated to making reuse a reality, we offer solutions based on hundreds of successful reuse initiatives from our decade of experience pioneering reusable packaging in e-commerce.
The main obstacle for reusables to work at scale is warehouse operations: picking, packing, labelling, storage, and space.
Through our experiences, we have identified three main challenges for reusable packaging to replace single-use options:
1 Reusable packaging requires more storage space in the warehouse than single-use packaging
2 Packing process for reusable packaging is slower than single-use
3 Reusable packaging is not tamper-evident.
The warehouse personnel have informed us not once or twice but several times that they cannot use packaging, as it slows the packing process or cannot be secured.
These issues lead to reduced efficiency and higher operational costs. It does not matter if reusable packaging cuts CO2 emissions by 80% if it doubles the packing time in the warehouse.
It's simply unacceptable.
In response to the challenges faced in the warehouse, we have developed a new packaging solution that will be launched in 2025.
Similar to the earlier design, the new RePack bag folds to letter size for easy returns and is adjustable to accommodate different order sizes.
One of the most critical features of any transport packaging is the time it takes to pack.
The quicker, the better, obviously.
The new RePack design matches the packing speed of single-use solutions, allowing your warehouse personnel to pack and seal a RePack in under 10 seconds.
Yes, you read that right - under 10 seconds - sealing included.
Sealing, or providing tamper evidence, presents one of the biggest challenges for reusable packaging.
While seals are intended to be broken, reusable packaging is designed to be used multiple times, so they should not be damaged after each use.
We have worked hard to find a solution to this issue.
The new RePack packaging design is also thinner and lighter than before.
This change offers numerous benefits, starting with space savings in the warehouse.
Thinner and lighter packaging also decreases emissions during transport and manufacturing, positively impacting sustainability.
Our new design is a big step forward for reusable e-commerce packaging.
Order samples to evaluate the fit for your business.
Solving the packaging is one; another is to solve the cost of the return to reuse.
To start, an empty RePack can be returned anywhere in the world simply by dropping it into a postbox, and the return is free of charge for the consumer.
However, postal returns in most countries can be costly, making reusable packaging too expensive for most businesses.
For reusable packaging to function on a large scale, empty packaging must be returned cost-efficiently for reuse.
This requires the development of return infrastructure that is easily accessible to develop circular consumer habits, leading to increased return volumes and reduced costs.
Simple in theory, challenging in practice as it requires collaboration.
In 2025, RePack returns will be competitively priced in France, mainly due to La Poste's return infrastructure.
The rest of Europe will still mainly rely on postal returns.
At the time of writing, RePack is working on a return infrastructure project in Sweden called Cirkla.
Project Cirkla's goal is to find ways for Swedish e-commerce to respond to PPWR requirements, where 40% of e-commerce deliveries in 2030 will be delivered in reusable packaging.
In Sweden, RePack is trialling empty return infrastructure to grocery stores and locker boxes collected by couriers.
Read more about Cirkla here.
From 2030, 40 % of e-commerce deliveries should be reusable.
This means billions of deliveries on an annual basis in Europe.
It changes consumer behaviour as we no longer receive a random reusable delivery but several reusable packages every month.
We will not return bags individually to postboxes but dozens at one to a convenient return point near you.
By finding solutions to overcome logistical challenges, developing a return network, and rewarding consumers for returning reusable packaging, we prepare for the forthcoming EU legislation.
Initially, discovering our reuse solutions will be exciting for consumers.
Novelty and innovation captivate people, so consumers will naturally and enthusiastically return their packaging at first.
But it will wear off.
Over time, it will become more common and routine.
At that point, we need to generate excitement, maybe introduce new reward and deposit models to encourage people to continue their efforts and keep returning RePacks.
When reusable packaging becomes an integral part of daily life, dropping RePack into a mailbox will feel as normal as recycling bottles or using recycling bins today.
Get started with a small pilot to test the packaging's suitability for your warehouse operations.
Check out how Royal Canin started using reusable packaging in France.
