Albert Heijn, ALDI, Carrefour, Colruyt, Delhaize, and Lidl have joined forces under the Reusable Packaging Coalition, a collaborative effort to explore opportunities for packaging reuse. Their first pilot project will transition to reusable packaging for mushrooms in the Mechelen region.
The Reusable Packaging Coalition, a partnership among Belgian retailers, is committed to investigating and standardizing reusable packaging on a large scale. This initiative stems from the Green Deal Anders Verpakt, a Flemish program dedicated to packaging reuse and reduction, according to Comeos.
"The trade sector has already made significant efforts to make packaging more sustainable by enhancing recyclability and minimizing excess materials. The next major step for the sector is transitioning to reusable packaging," emphasizes Henriane Gilliot, environmental project manager at Comeos.
Pilot project on reusable packaging in Mechelen
The first pilot project by the Reusable Packaging Coalition focuses on reusable packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables, specifically mushrooms, in the Mechelen region. By mid-2025, consumers in this area will be able to purchase mushrooms in reusable trays. These trays will be industrially cleaned, enabling producers to refill and reuse them multiple times within the logistics chain.
This initiative requires close collaboration with mushroom growers. The City of Mechelen is enthusiastic about hosting and supporting the pilot project, which serves as a model for the sector. The upcoming European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation will prohibit single-use plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables under 1.5 kilograms. The coalition is committed to ensuring that the new system upholds shelf life and food safety. "This consortium initiative is a unique opportunity to implement a reusable concept that transcends company boundaries across the supply chain," says Filip Fransen, Senior Category Director of Service at packaging solutions provider deSter.
Bridging the gap between ambition and action
"Despite the growing emphasis on a circular economy, there is still a gap between ambition and concrete action. Many initiatives fail due to a lack of collaboration and standardization. Cooperation is crucial to making reuse work on a large scale and to creating a story that is both economically and environmentally positive."
"Standardizing packaging is essential for consumer adoption, so they don't have to think about where to return different types of packaging. Fost Plus plays a vital role in this process. Just as they have spent 30 years improving sorting behavior, they will now help consumers choose reusable alternatives."
Collaboration among major industry players
The formation of the Reusable Packaging Coalition brings together major retailers in a collaborative effort, making this project unique and driving systemic change in waste management.
The coalition is coordinated by Made, an expert in design and innovation, and supported by a diverse group of experts in reuse and packaging. "In terms of scale and collaboration, this coalition is a game changer and truly unique," says Tom Domen, Circular Innovation Catalyst at Made.
The Reusable Packaging Coalition includes both established companies and startups, along with participation from the social economy. The bespoke company MIVAS has committed strongly to a circular future. Key partners include Fost Plus (business model & consumer behavior), Pack4Food (food safety), MIVAS (washing), FME (fruit and vegetable growers), Kingslize Premium Pizza (logistics), Twintag & M-ECS (software), GS1 (standardization), deSter (packaging), and the sector federation Comeos.
Source: Comeos