Decision basis for the implementation of Returbar - an industry-wide system for circular deposit bags

Purpose and goal:

Grocery e-commerce is growing rapidly with subsequent home deliveries. Four companies represent over 90% of the sales value in Swedish trade. A project with these four actors can lead to large-scale system improvements that accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

The goal is a feasibility study and communication concept for the implementation of a common system for circular deposit bags with recommendations for an optimized deposit level, ownership form, investment model and communication concept. Expected results and effects:

The overall objective of the project group is to, by introducing a reusable bag that can go through many more loops than linear paper bags before being recycled, reduce the proportion of packaging material and the industry´s CO2 footprint in line with Agenda 2030. By introducing a reusable bag and using existing transportation as much as possible, reducing the emissions, the material consumption and the mountain of waste, which leads to e-commerce becoming resource efficient.

Approach and implementation:

We will conduct a pilot to test different variants of bags and messages to deepen customer insights. What do they look like when they come back, how are they stored at home, how clean does it have to be to be perceived as fresh by the customer, what deposit level is reasonable, what type of message is credible, what customer values make implementation difficult and how we can strengthen customer behavior in the right direction?

We also intend to make an investment calculation and feasibility study so that we get a good decision basis for the grocery players to make a decision.