Retail is looking for fresh ideas for sustainable packaging

Thomas Reiner | 17.07.2019

Retail is breaking new ground in the search for innovative, sustainable packaging. Competitions and funding programs are designed to attract startups who develop and offer ideas or specific products.

We will briefly introduce you to two current examples from Germany.

ALDI

In January 2019, ALDI called on startups to apply for the accelerator program TechFounders. The goal: to develop new solutions to improve the sustainability of packaging materials.

More than 80 startups then responded with their innovative solutions. Seven of them were shortlisted and presented their concepts in person.

1. The startup Cyclic Design offers a capless and easy refillable bottle for personal care products.
2. The startup Wisefood offers edible drinking straws made of apple fibers.
3. The Eziserv team invented a machine for refilling containers, which is also suitable for retail.
4. The founders of Infocode have developed an intelligent waste container that automatically recognizes and sorts recyclables.
5. The solution of the startup Ogata is aimed at hip shopping bags, for example, made of recycled plastic.
6. Magic Add, a young startup from Finland, relies on “unique identifier” and a cloud-based platform. It can cost-effectively produce high volume smart packaging solutions for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG).
7. Startup AgroSustain has developed a pesticide on a purely biological basis. This can prevent the formation of mold on fruits and vegetables and thus reduce food loss.

REWE / Unilever

REWE is one of the largest retailing groups in Germany. Together with Unilever, REWE has started the startup competition “Out of plastic”. The company calls on startups to submit innovative ideas for eco-friendly packaging. As a reward, a proof of concept by Unilever and a collaboration with the two market leaders are awarded.

REWE says: We want to make a noticeable contribution to the reduction of plastic on our shelves. And that works best together with innovative minds and strong partners. That is why, in cooperation with Unilever, we are organizing a startup competition for environmentally friendly packaging ideas.