The pilot aims to explore how reusable packaging can work in real logistics operations and how it can help reduce the environmental impact of deliveries. Reusable transport packaging is gaining attention across industries as companies look for new ways to reduce waste and lower emissions from logistics operations.
Exploring circular logistics
Unlike traditional single-use packaging, the reusable boxes used in the pilot are designed to circulate through multiple deliveries.
After receiving their goods, customers can return the box through designated drop-off points, allowing it to be sent back to RE-ZIP and reused in another delivery.
The pilot is designed to test both logistics processes and customer behavior in a real operational setup.
“This pilot will help us better understand how reusable packaging can work in practice. We are testing how customers interact with the return system and how the boxes function in our daily operations,” says Jesper Justbjerg Nielsen, Logistics Manager at ABENA.
Testing the system with customers
The pilot includes shipments from ABENA’s AutoStore logistics setup, and around 50,000 customers in Denmark will receive deliveries in reusable boxes together with information about the return process.
Returned boxes enter RE-ZIP’s circular packaging system, meaning the same box is not necessarily returned to ABENA but instead becomes part of a broader reuse loop designed to maximize the use of each box.
The project will help build understanding of how reusable packaging solutions can function across supply chains involving both logistics operations and consumers.
Potential environmental benefits
Reusable shipping boxes have the potential to reduce the environmental impact of packaging significantly. According to the project’s business case analysis, even one reuse cycle can reduce the box’s CO2e footprint by up to 50 percent compared to single-use packaging.
The actual environmental impact depends on how many times the boxes are reused and how efficiently they circulate within the system.
“At ABENA, we are continuously exploring solutions that support more circular use of resources. This pilot helps us better understand what is required to scale circular logistics solutions and create long-term environmental impact,” says Eva Tansem Andersen, Global Sustainability Manager at ABENA.
The primary purpose of the pilot is to gain practical experience with reusable shipping boxes before evaluating whether the solution can be scaled further across ABENA’s logistics operations.
During the four-month test period, ABENA will monitor how the reusable boxes perform in daily operations, how customers engage with the return system, and what environmental impact the reuse model can create over time.
The pilot is intended to provide insights into both logistics processes and how consumers respond to reusable packaging.
“We see this pilot as an opportunity to learn. Reusable packaging introduces new workflows in both logistics and customer handling, and it is important for us to understand what works well and where adjustments may be needed before considering any larger-scale implementation,” says Jesper Justbjerg Nielsen, Logistics Manager at ABENA.
Contact person:
Eva Tansem Andersen, +45 5158 0581