TOMRA Reuse city solution

Circularity for takeaway packaging

An effective and convenient way for cities to shift to reusable packaging

The TOMRA reusable takeaway packaging system provides a unique convenience for businesses that offer takeaway food and drinks (like cafés and quick serve restaurants), as well as for consumers. The system is designed as an open system, meaning packaging from different packaging providers can be returned 24/7 to a shared infrastructure of automated collection points throughout a city.

High packaging return rates are ensured by combining unique consumer convenience with a monetary return incentive in the form of a deposit that is paid when purchasing the takeaway food/drink, and afterwards reimbursed in full to the consumer when the packaging is returned to a collection point. When returning the reusable cups to one of the automated TOMRA collection points specifically used for takeaway packaging, the customer receives the deposit reimbursement directly on their card/account. This is possible by tapping a contactless payment credential (card, phone, smartwatch, etc.) to activate the dedicated TOMRA collection point. An alternative return incentive can be a penalty which is charged if the packaging is not returned within a specified timeframe.

Young couple sitting by the city harbor with reusable cups

Key benefits of our city solution for reusable takeaway packaging

System convenience

  • No added operational burden to retail partners
  • No need for consumers to register or use specific smartphone apps
  • Easy to redeem deposit at automated collection points

System integrity

  • Full digital control of operational data and deposit cash flows
  • Serialization used to activate/deactivate deposit value on the reusable packaging

System accessibility

  • Open to all qualified packaging, regardless of provider

System scalability

  • Automated collection points can be placed indoors or outdoors, and accept only packaging used in the system
  • Centralized hub for sanitization and quality control of all reusable packaging used in the system
  • Streamlined logistics for picking up and delivering packaging

Reduction of litter and waste management costs

  • Replacing single-use takeaway packaging with reusable alternatives makes a big impact on reducing litter in the urban environment
  • Reducing the amount of single-use waste can translate to significant waste management cost savings
Diagram of TOMRA Reuse system components

An overview of our city solution components

Click on the plus-sign buttons in the diagram below for further information about each component.

Automated collection points

The use of a shared infrastructure of automated collection points where reusable packaging from all participating providers can be returned 24/7 is the cornerstone of our city solution, offering user convenience for both consumers and retail partners alike.

Digital platform

Our secure digital platform serves as the clearing system for the financial incentive used to encourage the return of the reusable packaging; tracks the number of times each reusable packaging item is circulated, providing transparency on the environmental performance of the system; and prevents any attempts to cheat or abuse the financial return incentive, ensuring the overall integrity of the system.

Logistics

TOMRA, or a designated partner, maintains the ordering and delivery system for the reusable packaging to retail outlets, as well as the collection of all returned items from the collection points.

Centralized cleaning and quality assurance

TOMRA, or a designated partner, is responsible for the sanitization and quality assurance of all the reusable packaging used in the system.

Packaging pool

Each package in the system has a unique digital code that is activated for the financial return incentive when it is delivered to retailers. This is the basis of our open managed system (OMS) for reusable packaging -- the possibility for different packaging providers to use the same shared infrastructure for collecting the reusable packaging as long as the packaging has a unique id and the physical properties of the packaging comply with our system requirements.

Circulation fee

A circulation fee is added to each packaging item when it is ordered by retailers to offset the system costs associated with the solution.

Woman returning a REUSABLE cup at a collection machine in Aarhus Denmark

Our pilot project for reusable takeaway packaging in Aarhus, Denmark

The system now being trialed in Aarhus enables a shift from single-use takeaway packaging to reusable takeaway packaging, by offering an infrastructure that entire cities can use.
Read more about our project in Aarhus