Are reusable containers key to zero waste?

Single-use containers are one of the fundamental causes of waste, and yet we still find them everywhere in our daily life.

American company Loop is addressing waste through collaboration with retailers and manufacturers by promoting packaging day-to-day products in reusable containers. Customers can get a range of items in reusable containers, including food, skin care products and household essentials. These products are delivered to customers in Loop’s reusable bag. After use, customers put the empties back in the bag and wait for pick-up. These empties are then sent to a facility to be washed, refilled and delivered to customers again. This service is available on Loop’s and its partners’ websites, and the company is expanding the service to retailers in countries including the US, UK and Japan.

The throw-away culture of single-use packaging has been a major setback in achieving zero waste because it’s cheaper for businesses and easier for customers to rely on. However, with the collaboration between many day-to-day grocery manufacturers and retailers, Loop is making the zero-waste goal accessible.