Reusable packaging is becoming increasingly important in retail

The Berlin company Bio Company is testing reusable take-away packs in 5 Berlin branches. Reusable packaging is no longer a unique selling point for individual grocers or small organic shops or unpackaged shops. The reusable boxes are resealable, reusable and have to be paid for with a € 5 deposit. After returning these reusable boxes, the € 5 will be paid out again. The associated goal is clear. Should the Berliners accept the concept, further markets are to follow. In the first step, convenience food is still offered. But in the coming month, baked goods and, next, meat and sausage products will be offered.

The advantage of deposit packaging lies in the unnecessary additional investment in high-quality packaging. The customer gets his stake back 100%. The reusable boxes should be returned cleaned and thus, according to the plan of the operators, withstand the cycle approx. 200 times. The box can then be recycled according to type. These reusable boxes are also a new development and are now being tested in stores for the first time. Other retail companies are also testing reusable systems. Alnatura sells muesli and nut products in deposit jars. Both Edeka and Rewe have teamed up with startups to introduce innovative reusable packaging at salad bars, for example.