Data-driven sustainability. No greenwashing.
We transparently measure the environmental impact of our system according to established standards. Our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) provides a clear picture of how reusable packaging contributes to a greener future.
Download LCAWhy reuse makes sense
Reusable packaging makes sense for a simple reason, as shown by the waste management hierarchy: prevention and reuse precede recycling, energy recovery, and disposal. Less waste, less material, fewer emissions throughout the cycle. Reuse comes before recycling because it saves raw materials and processes that would otherwise be generated in the production and processing of single-use items.
System Design: Centralized vs. Decentralized
Not every reuse system is the same, as comparisons of centralized and decentralized models show. Centralized hubs collect, clean, and return packaging into circulation across brands, while decentralized models return them directly to the original sender. In both cases, reuse significantly reduces the carbon footprint per cycle compared to single-use packaging, with transportation naturally becoming a key hotspot for a circulating product.
In a centralized model, all packaging is returned to a single, high-capacity hub for cleaning and redistribution. This allows for economies of scale in cleaning but may increase transport distances.
What Our Data Says (LCA Repetito)
Our LCA (life-cycle assessment) models 100 cycles of a package's life, uses methodologies like the GHG Protocol, EN ISO 14067, PAS 2050, and works with both primary and secondary data, as well as national emission factors. In basic scenarios, it is found that reuse for 100 cycles eliminates approximately 21 kg of waste with the 'heavier' packaging variant, while an alternative 'lighter' variant eliminates about 10 kg of waste. The carbon footprint in our tested routes ranges from approximately 4.54–15.64 kg CO₂e per functional unit, which corresponds to the equivalent of about 0.78–2.09 km driven by a passenger car according to the EPA calculator. We will separately refine the cleaning and sanitization data after full operation begins, and we will continuously update logistical data according to the fleet and real routes to keep our model realistic and transparent.
EPA Equivalencies
≈ 0.78–2.09 km driven by an average car
Why Return Distance Matters
Since material and manufacturing costs are spread over dozens of cycles, transportation plays a larger role in reuse than you might expect. That's why we optimize collection points, collaborate with carriers, minimize empty runs, and aim for cleaning in regional hubs. The sense of reuse holds even with conservative return assumptions and longer routes, as shown by independent literature on e-commerce packaging.
Interactive graph coming soon...
Scenarios
Real Steps to Reduce Our Footprint
- Increasing the density of collection points
- Optimizing transport routes
- Utilizing shared logistics hubs
- Designing packaging to eliminate void fill
- Using renewable energy in our hubs
- Extending the lifespan of each package