Food Packaging as a Service

Replaces single-use packaging with reusable, available, affordable and more ecological packaging

01.

Identification

The reCIRCLE concept is simple and is already used in 6 European countries. It replaces the disposable packaging of on-the-go catering with high-quality, washable, microwaveable, tight-fitting containers and cups with lids. The products are made of durable plastic and are recyclable after hundreds of uses, at the end of life. The innovation lies in the combination between networks, products and service. It is suitable for restaurateurs who want to pack their food and beverage in a stylish and sustainable way and for consumers who want to enjoy their food on the go without waste. It works like a deposit system and the products are returnable and exchangeable in all the restaurant partners. The products never lose value, they can be returned in every state, except if the lid is missing. This way the circle is closed and the general public can enjoy a circular economy in everyday life and zero-waste packaging.

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Label Date April 25, 2022

By reCIRCLE

From Switzerland

Maturity stage Medium and large scale commercialization

Looking For Network, New clients, Visibility, Partners, Credibility

02.

Implementation Stories

Food Packaging as a Service by reCIRCLE
Implemented by City of Lausanne in Lausanne (Switzerland) in 2019

The City of Lausanne organized a stakeholder dialogue with the local gastronomy association GastroLausanne, Zerowaste Switzerland and reCIRCLE. The Restobox campaign was led by the Delegate for Sustainable Development for the City in October 2019. It sent a letter to all restaurants in Lausanne, inviting them to use less packaging by participating in the “bring your own container” initiative from Zerowaste Switzerland or by joining the reCIRCLE Network. The first 100 restaurants joining the Restobox/reCIRCLE program received a subsidy of 100 CHF, which eased the switch from single use to reuse for the restaurants.

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Result

62000 boxes in circulation in 140 restaurant, 1.56 million single- use packaging avoided / year = 46t of waste

Food Packaging as a Service by reCIRCLE
Implemented by Compass Group in Kloten (Switzerland) in 2019

In 2019, the Kloten-based catering company Compass Group Suisse AG has made use of the Food packaging as a service deposit system. By 2023, more than 30 of the group's operating locations will be using the deposit system and its reusable packaging.

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Result

In this way, the Compass Group will save 12 tonnes of packaging waste, 11,500 waste bags and 40 tonnes of CO2-eq emissions per year.

03.

The environmental benefits

•Foodboxes made out of PBT GF 30 with PP lids and cups made out of tritan with PP lids
•55'000 single use containers replaced by reCIRCLE BOXes, replacing single use plastic responsible for 5.5 tons of CO2 equivalent per day
•100% recyclable

04.

The Financial benefits

•Restaurants save money from 5 replacements of single use packaging per day
•Cities save money, as they have to empty less the dustbins in town
•Consumers garbage bin is less full and they save money for the garbage bags

05.

Activity Region

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Europe

Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, France, Netherlands,

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06.

Company Profile

reCIRCLE

reCIRCLE is the Swiss industry solution for reusable packaging in takeaway catering. Thanks to the 'lunchbox as a service', thousands of disposable containers are saved every day.

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Headquarters 3014 Bern, Switzerland

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