Smart reusable packaging for food and a concept for optimized reuse, including cleaning logistics

The project's main goal is to use reusable packaging as extensively as possible in food retail and beyond, in line with product development, to minimize single-use packaging.

The overarching goal is to establish a cross-brand deposit system for food packaging using specially developed, sustainable, and resource-saving deposit boxes, as well as the associated logistics processes. These deposit boxes are sized according to food retail logistics standards and will be digitally traceable via 2D data matrix codes in the future. These codes will serve as information carriers and be linkable to the contents.

Ultimately, this will enable the food purchased in the deposit box to be supplemented with information such as manufacturing details or ecological footprint data via a connected app. This will provide new data for inspection, evaluation, and optimization based on clearly identifiable packaging. It will present the complete cycle of the product life of reusable packaging and provide consumers with relevant additional information on the products purchased. Thus, it will enable greater transparency along the food chain.