Retailers pilot DRS for foodservice packaging in Finland

Kesko and S Group have joined nine companies to pilot a DRS for reusable takeaway containers in Espoo, Finland. As part of the pilot, customers at four stores in the city can choose a reusable container for takeaway food instead of a single-use one. 

The DRS project, branded Kiertis, sets out to examine how the circulation of reusable takeaway containers with a deposit will work in practice. It will consider whether reusable packaging is appealing to consumers, if it’s cost-efficient, and its environmental impact.

The pilot further seeks to understand the functionality of a return and washing system for foodservice packaging and its impact on consumers and retail staff.

The deposit for one container is €3 (US$3.5) and is refunded when the container is returned, making it free of charge for the customer. The aim is to encourage customers to return the containers rather than keep them for personal use. 

“For the testing to succeed, we hope that all containers — including damaged ones — are returned for reuse,” says Hannele Dahl-Nevalainen, Development manager at Kesko. “This will give us information for developing the system and, for example, on how many times a single container can be reused.”

Iida Lehtimäki, Sustainability specialist at S Group, adds: “The functionality of the return system will be monitored throughout the pilot so that we can respond, for example, to the speed of the washing cycle and the availability of containers in stores.”

The dark purple reusable container is made of bio-based PP, typically used for similar food storage containers. It is said to be designed to withstand use and multiple washing cycles. 

According to the Finnish retail conglomerate Kesko, the condition and hygiene of the boxes will be monitored at the different stages of the DRS, and damaged boxes will be removed from circulation. 

Foodservice DRS rollout 

The DRS for reusable takeaway containers will be implemented in four grocery stores in Espoo, including the Ruokatori service counters of Prisma Lippulaiva and Prisma Sello, at the salad bars of K-Citymarket Sello, and K-Supermarket Lippulaiva. 

Containers can be returned to Kiertis return machines located in the Lippulaiva and Sello shopping centers, near bottle collection machines. 

Lehtimäki comments: “Many companies are involved in the return system. A deposit-based model only works if the different parties in the chain cooperate seamlessly. In the pilot, we are looking for solutions that are practical in everyday store operations, easy for customers, and financially sustainable.” 

Kiertis is part of the Reusify project funded by Business Finland and led by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the University of Vaasa, and also involves private companies and research organizations, such as UPM Raflatac. 

Kesko says the pilot is linked to compliance with the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which aims to promote the reuse of packaging.

Recently, Eco-Products launched its reusable, recyclable, and compostable packaging portfolio in the UK, while Duni Group introduced a reusable food container system at a supermarket chain in Munich, Germany.

Sykell developed a circular ERP software to optimize the management of reusable packaging.

Portugal launched its national DRS for single-use beverage containers made out of plastic, aluminum, and steel, while excluding glass.