What is the reCIRCLE Project?
reCIRCLE replaces single-use packaging with reusable, high-quality, affordable, and more ecological packaging. Every year, millions of single-use containers are saved thanks to the reCIRCLE reusable system – a true game changer in the world of takeaway catering. Born out of the need to reduce waste and save valuable resources, reCIRCLE delivers a modern solution that embraces sustainability while keeping customer-friendly eating pleasure in mind. Its high-quality, washable, reusable containers come in durable plastic, are microwaveable, and incorporate tight-fitting lids, making every meal on the go a small victory for the environment.
Main Benefits and Key Facts
- Over 80 million single-use containers saved since launch in 2015.
- CO₂ emissions reduced by 7,000 tons – equivalent to saving 2 million garbage bags.
- Innovative lunchbox as a service, saving tens of thousands of disposable containers daily.
- Appeals to gastronomers, consumers, restaurants, takeaways, canteens, communities, and companies alike.
- Products are produced in Switzerland by family businesses, ensuring top-notch quality and social responsibility.
Introducing the reCIRCLE Welcome Pack
The new reCIRCLE Welcome Pack makes switching to the reusable system amazingly simple. Every Welcome Pack contains everything needed to start immediately: 20 reCIRCLEs, the service costs for the first year, and all the necessary materials to introduce reusable usage effortlessly. This complete solution is simple, efficient, and ready to use immediately – perfect for busy operations looking to make a sustainable leap without any fuss… It’s all about making the eco-friendly choice as smooth as possible.
User Experiences Across Sectors
Different sectors benefit from the reCIRCLE project in their own unique ways. Restaurants use reCIRCLEs to package leftovers and reduce both food waste and trash, ensuring every delicious bite counts. Takeaways offering food and drinks to-go in reCIRCLEs not only reduce waste but also save costs in their daily operations. Consumers enjoy the convenience of checking the partner map to find nearby locations from which they can purchase food in reusable packaging, making waste-free takeaway dining a reality. Canteens embrace the method by selling their options in reCIRCLEs every day, while communities support nationwide initiatives that underscore waste reduction in takeaway gastronomy. Even companies have joined in by providing employees with reCIRCLEs for lunch, offering an environmentally friendly, waste-saving alternative.
High-Quality, Sustainable, Reusable Packaging
The reCIRCLE products combine sustainability with a quality that truly stands out – made from durable plastic and designed to be recyclable after hundreds of uses. This innovative system replaces disposable packaging, which consumes valuable resources over its life cycle, with products that can be reused over and over again. Whether it is the reusable container or the modern cup with a tight-fitting lid, each item is built to last and help reduce environmental footprint day after day. Plus, the system’s integration of a wide network of partners means that reCIRCLEs can be easily borrowed or returned at various locations, bringing simplicity and convenience into the eco-friendly journey.
Innovative Service Contributions
An innovative twist lies in the combination of network, products, and service – a triumvirate that makes reCIRCLE not just a product, but a complete service solution. The system – now active across 6 European countries – is tailored for the dynamic needs of modern on-the-go catering. With a friendly approach and a neat return system (simply return reCIRCLEs at a partner business and receive a refund, or have the amount deducted from the app), adopting reusable packaging becomes almost a no-brainer. It’s that kind of smart simplicity that invites both businesses and consumers to be part of a larger eco-movement.
Project Impact and SDG Connections
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – by reducing waste and promoting reusable solutions.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – thanks to significant reductions in CO₂ emissions.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – through the integration of sustainable, modern packaging solutions.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – by forging a large network that spans continents.
Engaging the Community and Looking Forward
The reCIRCLE project does more than just replace single-use packaging – it encourages a movement where every participant plays a role. Whether as a restaurant reducing waste with every leftover packaged in a reCIRCLE, a takeaway offering customers a truly green alternative, or a consumer making a conscious choice when ordering food on the go, the collective impact is extraordinary. With every reCIRCLE borrowed, returned, or reused, there is an undeniable ripple effect in the community that drives further innovation and a shared responsibility towards environmental sustainability… The reCIRCLE network continues to expand, inviting individuals and businesses to join a future where thoughtful, sustainable practices are at the heart of every meal.
