RePack
Original RePack Oy
RePack is an innovative system for reusable packaging in European and US-American online retail. The project aims to reduce waste in the area of e-commerce. Online shops send their goods in RePacks; upon receipt, consumers can send the mailing envelopes back by folding them to letter size and dropping them in a postbox free of charge. An integrated loyalty scheme rewards repeated use. After being returned, the packaging is cleaned and dispatched to the sender for reuse.
Award winner 2021 in the category »Service«»The online mail order sector is growing steadily and Covid-19 has only reinforced this trend. At the same time, the consumption of single-use packaging material is increasing. RePack has invented a reusable packaging that makes it easy for consumers and retailers: the folded RePacks can be thrown in the mailbox free of charge and reused as packaging several times over.«
Dr. Ulf Jaeckel (on behalf of Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter)
Three questions for Christof Trowitz, Business Development
How did the idea for RePack come about?
The founders were working on a project at the Finnish Post Office and observed how vast quantities of parcels including packaging waste was passing them by on the conveyor belts all day long. It occurred to them that the bottle deposit system that is very well established in Finland could be transferred to eCommerce packaging. And so that’s exactly what we did.
What was your personal highlight in the development process for RePack? Was there a low point?
Particular highlights are when we as RePack and the idea in general are met with enthusiasm and support. On these occasions, I think to myself: “Yes, I’m working on the right issue.” The time is ripe for reusable products in online retail! The low points were above all when online retailers that were important to us, with whom we had been involved in long discussions and pilot schemes, shifted their priorities and postponed the introduction of RePack, much to our surprise.
Where do you see your project in five years?
In five years, reusable packaging will definitely no longer be exotic but will be standard at many online retailers, including some of the larger ones. Meanwhile, our vision is that, one day, reusable will be the new normal.
