“Post Loop”, the reusable packaging for e-commerce from Austrian Post, has already received several awards, including the “Grand Sustainability Award Logistics 2023” and the “ICEBERG Innovation Leadership Award 2023” in the categories of innovation level, innovation culture, potential and sustainability.
Marc Sarmiento, February 14, 2024
Packaging has increased massively due to online shipping – and with it, resource consumption. In 2021, more than 350 million parcels were sent in Austria, twice as many as seven years ago. Parcel volumes are expected to continue to rise, and with them the amount of cardboard waste generated. To reduce parcel waste in the future, Austrian Post is committed to a circular economy and is implementing aFinding system for disposable boxes, the “Post Loop”This creates a new standard service for the use of reusable packaging in online retail. Online shops can ship their products even more sustainably and conserve packaging waste and resources. In 2021, Austrian Post launched a trial operation in collaboration with the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences. After a successful test phase with five companies, the deposit system is now also available as a standard service throughout Austria.
Alternative to disposable cartons
The Post rents out three different types of packaging, which together with the Danish packaging specialist RE-ZIP and the dGerman start-up HeyCircle were developed:
- Post Loop Package A: This wood-fiber cardboard box is available in three sizes and can be reused up to ten times. It is especially suitable for clothing, sporting goods, shoes, electronics, cosmetics, books, and general merchandise. The packaging can be recycled as waste paper at the end of its life.
- Post Loop Bag B: This bag, made of coated wood fiber, is reusable up to 30 times and is available in four sizes. It is specifically designed for clothing and non-fragile goods and can be recycled through the packaging manufacturer.
- Post Loop Bag C: This bag made of recycled polypropylene is available in three sizes and can be reused up to 30 times. It is also specifically designed for clothing and non-fragile items. The zipper allows for even better sealing, making it suitable for shipping more valuable goods. The packaging can be recycled through plastics recycling.
The various packaging options were subjected to rigorous practical testing in advance, and the pilot project was scientifically monitored to ensure that all of the Post's business customers have the opportunity to switch to a sustainable packaging solution.
"Austrian Post has kept its promise! With the appropriate deposit system, senders can also motivate consumers to participate in a green future."
Peter Umundum, Member of the Board of Management for Parcel & Logistics, Austrian Post AG
From idea to pilot: Scientific results
The idea for the project was born at Christmas when I was taking a pile of gift wrapping boxes to the waste room and was standing in front of an overflowing paper bin. Since we at Austrian Post have a social responsibility, we as a team considered where we could best start to sustainably reduce packaging waste. Different companies have very different requirements – especially due to the variety of products. The biggest challenge with packaging is that people often try to solve everything with one package. Therefore, during development, we focused on the essence of every packaging: product protection. We began by conducting a preliminary study with the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, which is also analyzing the ecological impact of the packaging in the project. Over 20 companies responded to the announcement alone, expressing interest in collaborating. The reusable packaging was first tested and comprehensively analyzed as part of a pilot project in 2022. The drugstore chain dm, Interspar Weinwelt, Intersport, Tchibo, and Thalia participated in the pilot project. They shipped their goods in reusable packaging made of wood fiber or recycled PET instead of single-use bags and boxes. After use, the packaging could simply be folded up and put in the nearest mailbox—then returned to the retail chains and reused. The results of the pilot phase showed us that the tested packaging is suitable for online shipping and that there is also high demand from consumers. The life cycle analysis conducted by the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria also showed that, compared to single-use packaging, reusable packaging reduces CO emissions by up to 80 percent.2 can be saved. The post-loop packaging used sometimes reaches its ecological break-even point after just the second use.
Post Loop for CO2 free delivery
The first company to currently use the "Post Loop" system is the telecom provider Drei Austria. In the provider's online shop, customers can choose to have their order shipped in reusable packaging. To make it easier to get started, Drei is initially offering "Post Loop" shipping free of charge. However, as Post Austria, we plan to expand the deposit system in Austria. We are currently working on implementation with major retail chains, and this innovative solution for reducing packaging materials could also be exciting for companies in the ÖBAG portfolio and beyond. In any case, Post Loop is another important building block in making our core business more environmentally friendly, and it also contributes to our ambitious goal of completely CO2 Free delivery is possible. Because the new recyclable packaging not only reduces emissions but also conserves resources.
Marc Sarmiento has been with Austrian Post AG since 2012, where he has headed the Research & Innovation Department since 2019.
