Reuse as a service · Project

Reusable Delivery Packaging as a Service for E-Commerce Brands

environmentMarket-readyTRL 7

Every time you order something online, it arrives in a box or bag you throw away immediately. RePack built a returnable packaging system — like a deposit bottle, but for delivery bags. You get your order in a reusable pack, fold it up when empty, and drop it in a mailbox or return point. The company cleans and recirculates them, charging brands a per-use fee instead of making them buy single-use packaging.

By the numbers

160 kg

Packaging waste per EU resident annually

52%

Single-use delivery packaging going directly to landfill

50 brands

Paying customers across Europe before scale-up

14 countries

Countries where service was already operational

30,000

Shipments completed in 2018

€200k

Service revenue in 2018

€600m

RePack target market size

100

New return points established

200

Transactions through new B2B webshop

The business problem

What needed solving

Every online order generates single-use packaging that gets used for minutes and trashed for centuries — with 52% going straight to landfill. EU regulations will require all packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2030, and e-commerce brands have no scalable alternative to the throw-away model. The cost of doing nothing is both environmental liability and regulatory non-compliance.

The solution

What was built

RePack built a reusable delivery packaging service with a data and logistics platform for take-back and recirculation. Key deliverables include 100 new return points across Europe (reducing dependency on expensive postal returns) and a fully automated B2B webshop for rapid customer onboarding and self-service ordering.

Audience

Who needs this

Online fashion and lifestyle retailers shipping in reusable-ready categoriesSubscription box companies sending repeat shipments to the same customersDirect-to-consumer brands marketing sustainability as a brand valueThird-party logistics providers wanting to offer green shipping optionsCorporate procurement teams preparing for 2030 EU packaging regulations

Business applications

Who can put this to work

E-commerce & Online Retail

SME

Target: Online fashion and lifestyle retailers shipping 10,000+ parcels per month

If you are an online retailer dealing with rising packaging costs and customer pressure to reduce waste — RePack developed a returnable packaging service already used by 50 brands in 14 countries. You pay per shipment, eliminate single-use packaging purchases, and offer customers a tangible sustainability action. The system reached 30,000 shipments in 2018 and has since scaled with 100 new return points across Europe.

Consumer Goods & FMCG

SME

Target: Subscription box companies and direct-to-consumer brands

If you are a subscription box company dealing with the absurdity of shipping new packaging every month to the same customers — RePack built a logistics and data platform that takes back empty packaging and rewards users for participating. With the EU requiring all packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2030, this lets you comply ahead of the deadline while cutting repeat packaging spend.

Logistics & Fulfillment

mid-size

Target: Third-party logistics providers and fulfillment centers

If you are a fulfillment provider looking to offer green shipping options to your retail clients — RePack created a B2B webshop with automated ordering and a return logistics network with 100 return points. You can integrate reusable packaging into your existing operations as a premium service tier, differentiating from competitors still locked into single-use materials.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does it cost to switch to reusable packaging?

RePack operates as a service — brands pay per shipment rather than buying packaging outright. The project specifically worked on reducing return logistics costs by building 100 alternative return points and cutting dependency on national postal operator fees. Exact per-unit pricing is not disclosed in the project data.

Can this handle large-scale e-commerce volumes?

The project was specifically an SME Instrument Phase 2 scale-up, designed to grow from 30,000 shipments (2018) to high-volume operations. Key deliverables included a fully automated B2B webshop for rapid customer onboarding and 100 new return points to support scalable growth across Europe.

How does IP and licensing work — can I white-label this?

RePack is a commercial service operated by Original Repack Oy, not a licensable technology. Based on available project data, you would use their service rather than license the packaging system. The company targets a €600 million market and operates as a packaging-as-a-service provider.

Is this compliant with upcoming EU packaging regulations?

The EU strategy requires all packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2030. RePack's reusable model directly addresses this requirement. Adopting it now positions your company ahead of regulatory deadlines rather than scrambling to comply later.

How do customers actually return the packaging?

Customers fold the empty pack flat and drop it at one of the return points — including mailboxes, in-store locations, and existing recycling collection systems set up under Extended Producer Responsibility. The project expanded this to 100 return points and explored alternatives to reduce postal return fees.

What is the timeline to get started?

The B2B webshop deliverable was designed for rapid onboarding with full automation, reducing customer acquisition time and costs. Based on available project data, the system was already operational across 14 countries with 50 brands before the scale-up project began in 2019.

What data and tracking do I get?

RePack includes a data and logistics platform that tracks packaging circulation and rewards users for participating. Based on available project data, this gives brands visibility into return rates, reuse cycles, and customer engagement with sustainability actions.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project — Original Repack Oy, a Finnish SME, is the sole partner. That is typical for SME Instrument Phase 2 funding, which backs individual companies ready to scale. There are no university or research partners, which signals this is a commercial growth play, not a research effort. The 100% industry ratio and SME status mean the company owns the technology and makes business decisions fast, without academic committee layers. For a potential customer or partner, this means you deal directly with the company that built and operates the service.

ORIGINAL REPACK OYCoordinator · FI

How to reach the team

Original Repack Oy is a Finnish SME — contact details available through their website repack.com or via SciTransfer's matchmaking service.

Order a report on this consortium See ORIGINAL REPACK OY profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore reusable packaging for your e-commerce operations? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the RePack team and help evaluate fit for your business.

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