The continued growth of online retail creates a critical amount of emissions and waste. This is not least due to the use of disposable packaging, which usually ends up as waste after use. Reusable packaging solutions, on the other hand, aim to use shipping packaging several times before it is finally disposed of or recycled.
The introduction of a reusable packaging cycle promises an enormous reduction in the amount of waste and emissions in the online retail sector. In order to test this potential, the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences, together with the Austrian Post and the five trading companies dm, Interspar Weinwelt, Intersport, Tchibo and Thalia, started a practical test with reusable packaging last year. The aim is to assess the economic and ecological feasibility of reusable packaging.
Four different packaging solutions are being tested. During the pilot, several thousand orders were shipped with reusable packaging. The accompanying survey of customers showed a very high level of acceptance.
The practical test was also monitored with a strict carbon footprint analysis by the Upper Austrian University of Applied Sciences. The climate impact of packaging was calculated throughout its entire life cycle. This also includes the production of the packaging, delivery and the energy consumption during acceptance, sorting and delivery by the post office. The carbon footprint analysis provides a comprehensive picture of the reusable packaging in terms of sustainability. Based on the project results, Swiss Post has decided to offer this promising and promising model as a separate service in the future. This service creates an important basis for supporting and accompanying Austrian retail companies in the transformation towards a sustainable business environment in the sense of the circular economy.
Sarah Pfoser is a manager in the research field of sustainability at the University of Applied Sciences in Upper Austria.
