Coordinated by (RE)SET, the R3PACK initiative brings together nearly 25 partners for a large-scale reuse experiment in northern and eastern France.

Among the wave of experiments conducted around reuse, R3PACK occupies a special place. Launched in 2022 and led by the consulting firm dedicated to environmental and economic transition (RE)SET, this initiative is testing around a hundred reusable items in two pilot regions in northern and eastern France. But the strength of this experiment lies above all in the power of the network, as R3PACK brings together 25 partners across the entire agri-food value chain: distributors (Carrefour, Coopérative U), manufacturers (Florette, Laiteries H. Triballat Rians, Lesieur, Les Crudettes, Monin, Sodebo, etc.), logistics operators (Loop), washers (Haut la consigne, Options Solutions) and an equipment supplier (The Keepers).

The R3PACK process is clearly explained in this infographic published on the (RE)SET website:

The project is therefore not limited to glass, but also explores all the possibilities of reusable plastic, developing innovative formats specifically for this project, such as crisp buckets and shared trays marketed in collaboration between Sodebo, Les Crudettes and Florette, with the aim of ‘demonstrating that it is possible to completely rethink packaging to make it compatible with reuse, while preserving the quality and food safety of products’. (RE)SET has thus achieved a certain degree of success for these innovative products with customers: ‘Tests carried out on these new formats have shown commercial performance exceeding expectations for certain items, such as Pétales Salés U, which one store has even decided to withdraw the disposable version of.’

Born out of an unprecedented collaboration between customers and suppliers, manufacturers and distributors, as well as direct competitors, the (RE)SET experiment is a convincing preview of the operations that should enable the 10% reuse target in distribution by 2030, as defined by European regulations, to be achieved. ‘The standardisation of packaging and interoperability between retailers is a major step forward. Consumers can now buy a product at Carrefour and return the packaging to Coopérative U, greatly simplifying the return process,’ explains (RE)SET.

This initiative is sure to be a topic of discussion at the upcoming ALLFORPACK EMBALLAGE PARIS trade show, which will take place from 24 to 26 November at Paris Nord Villepinte.