Staying ahead of the technology curve means strengthening your competitive advantage. That is why we give you data-driven innovation insights into the packaging industry. This time, you get to discover 5 hand-picked reusable packaging solutions.
Global Startup Heat Map highlights 5 Top Reusable Packaging Startups out of 1.093
The insights of this data-driven analysis are derived from the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 2.093.000+ startups & scaleups globally. The platform gives you an exhaustive overview of emerging technologies & relevant startups within a specific field in just a few clicks.
The Global Startup Heat Map below reveals the distribution of the 1.093 exemplary startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research. Further, it highlights 5 reusable packaging startups that we hand-picked based on criteria such as founding year, location, funding raised, and more. You get to explore the solutions of these 5 startups & scaleups in this report. For insights on the other 1.088 reusable packaging solutions, get in touch.
Click to download
Panda Packaging makes Reusable Packaging from Waste
Single-use packaging, which broadly uses plastic and other non-biodegradable materials, is a major threat to the global environment because it degrades water bodies and pollutes the soil. To tackle this problem, startups are developing reusable packaging solutions. Some companies are now using waste materials to produce packaging material, further driving sustainability.
British startup Panda Packaging makes reusable packaging from natural materials. It utilizes bamboo and wood waste as raw materials for its machine, Magnus, which produces packaging specific to customer requirements. The reusable packaging items include cutlery, straws, and cups. Additionally, the startup’s platform provides a customization feature that enables customers to personalize their packaging.
Boox provides Reusable Shipping Containers
Most eCommerce retailers use either plastic bags or disposable cardboard boxes to deliver their products to customers. This not only adds to the problem of solid waste and plastic pollution but also creates clutter at the customer end. To resolve this, packaging startups are developing reusable packaging, which consumers return to the companies so that they are used again for another delivery.
Boox is a US-based startup that provides reusable shipping containers for eCommerce retailers. It replaces cardboard boxes with a reusable alternative called boox. It is designed to be shipped, returned, then reused over and over again. The boxes assemble easily without tape or glue and are stronger than cardboard. After use, they fold flat for convenience and consumers then return the boox by dropping it off at a local collection point. Customers also have the option to schedule a home pickup of multiple booxes.
Bumerang offers Returnable Packaging
Takeaway food packaging generates tonnes of waste every year. While replacing single-use plastic with compostable packaging is sustainable, it still does not reduce the amount of waste created. To address this issue, restaurants are turning to returnable packaging. These packages are made in such a way that they can be reused multiple times, thus advancing circularity.
Spanish startup Bumerang offers a returnable packaging service for caterers. Customers use this service by visiting a restaurant in Bumerang’s network and asking to be served in its containers. After showing a unique quick response (QR) code generated through the startup’s mobile application, customers take away their food in the containers. The use and return of the containers are free of charge for fifteen days at any restaurant in Bumerang’s network. Upon their return, the containers are then reused for the next pick-up.
Cuploop develops a Refund Solution for Reusables
A lot of companies hesitate to adopt returnable and reusable packaging as it is an extra burden to keep track of all the packaging and reward the consumers appropriately. To resolve this challenge, technology startups are developing machines that automate the process and, thus, simplify implementation. Consumers deposit the packaging in the machines and it rewards them instantly. This encourages consumers to use more reusable packaging and makes it convenient for packaging companies.
Estonian startup Cuploop develops a refund solution for business owners who wish to go green by adopting reusable packaging. It collects and sorts the reusable packaging which is equipped with unique radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. These tags identify the number of packaging deposited by the consumer. Then, the machine calculates the deposit that was paid at the time of purchase and refunds the money. By sending refunds through the user’s near-field communication (NFC) bank cards, the solution also enables contactless interaction.
Hyperfold manufactures Foldable Reusable Packaging
The bulkier the package, the more is the expenditure for a company to dispose of them. Moreover, it increases the volume of waste. Consumers often dispose of food and drink packaging straight away because they are bulky and difficult to fold. To tackle this issue, startups are providing collapsible reusable packaging. This increases convenience for consumers to carry them and for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies to dispose of them easily once they reach the end of their lifecycle.
Hyperfold is a startup based out of Bulgaria that produces foldable reusable packaging including refillable bottles, food containers, and cups. The thin tubular-shaped containers fold to less than 10% of their initial volume. Among others, the startup utilizes elastomers, polymers, paper, and cardboard as well as fabrics to make their products. Additionally, the technology integrates with different production methods such as injection molding, blow molding, paper packaging production, and industrial sewing to make it easier to adopt their solution.
Discover more Packaging Startups
Packaging startups such as the examples highlighted in this report focus on space-saving packaging, returnable packaging, foldable packaging as well as biodegradable reusable packaging solutions. While all of these technologies play a major role in advancing the packaging industry, they only represent the tip of the iceberg. To explore more packaging technologies, simply get in touch to let us look into your areas of interest. For a more general overview, you can download our free Packaging Innovation Report to save your time and improve strategic decision-making.
