Circular bags for e-commerce in the retail sector

Purpose and goal:

The goal is to develop a system solution for a circular flow of reusable carrier bags that replaces a linear packaging system for e-commerce deliveries of groceries. The solution considers the different conditions of the stakeholders and offers a simple customer experience. The solution has 4 supporting components: Returbolaget (organization that handles management), deposit system (incentive for returning the bags), the bag (sustainable packaging) and cleaning (resource efficient cleaning method). For these components, we have identified aspects for further investigation.

Expected results and effects:

In this solution an industry owned nonprofit organization owns and manages the system with reusable deposit bags. The customer orders food and chooses whether they want to receive their food in a deposit bag. The food is delivered to the customer, who then returns the bags.

Used bags are transported to cleaning and clean bags are transported back to the grocery store. Expected effects are a more resource efficient use of material and less waste as well as that the project will inspire changed consumer behavior and that the solution has influenced other industries to circular conversion.

Approach and implementation:

The following activities have been carried out: (1) Gathering information and inspiration from the world through desktop research, expert interviews, and industry conferences, (2) mapping the needs of the grocery industry by visiting their e-commerce facilities, (3) investigating the customer needs through a qualitative study. The focus was on understanding attitudes and behaviors linked to e-commerce food delivery and deposit, (4) project participants have been engaged in workshops over the period to discuss and contribute to the design of the system.