pricon, a wholesaler for optician stores in Germany, has announced it will be utilizing hey circle’s reusable shipping packaging to cut waste and CO₂ emissions, with shipping bags in two sizes covering approximately 90% of all shipments.
pricon says that shipping to approximately 6,200 stores generates significant packaging waste. Pricon’s managing partner, Matthias Köste, states that replacing single-use with reusable transport packaging became a priority, with key considerations including the handling of return processes, integration into the warehouse management system, and defining the right reusable packaging solutions.
Two variants of shipping bags are being used: a 35-gram bag with a base used to ship children’s glasses, including cases, and a 29-gram bag without a base - said to be the size of a DIN-A5 envelope and replace the previous single-use cardboard boxes. Over 50 cycles, the switch is expected to save 97% of CO₂ emissions and approximately 7.5 kg of waste. The 29-gram bag is said to have lifetime savings of 87% in CO₂ emissions and 3.9 kg of waste.
Apparently, hey circle’s shipping bags for pricon have velcro fasteners instead of zippers, full-surface label holders and CI-compliant design. pricon and hey circle collaborated with logistics provider Transmed to refine the bag design.
pricon explains that glasses orders are dispatched via Transmed, with the shipping label, applied over the closure flap, doubling as a transport seal. After the store checks and removes the contents, the transport label can be cleanly removed.
For returns, the bag is emptied or filled with additional items, labelled with the included return label, and placed in the night drop box. The pre-assigned return label ensures tracking, and once back at the warehouse, the empty bag is scanned, automatically crediting the customer’s account.
Unreturned bags are charged after 10 days, a system that aims to encourage high return rates without requiring stores to pay a traditional deposit. pricon plans to transition the remaining 10% of its shipments to reusable packaging and expand the system further. It hopes that reusable shipping packaging will eventually be implemented for deliveries with other parcel carriers.
This summer, Interzero also worked with hey circle, utilizing its reusable boxes for the return and shipment of smartphones, tablets, and hard drives. Interzero uses hey circle L and XL boxes, which feature a patented folding technique and a fully enclosed design with theft protection.
In similar news, Returnity adapted its reusable shipping box solution with various distribution line setups in retail and e-commerce, aiming to meet the challenges of varying production lines, labelling systems and automation technologies. It is reportedly ‘the first in the industry’ to offer advanced adaptability through the Box’s integration with robotic and automated processes.
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