DPD Germany dispatches over 350 million parcels every year. In order to make parcel shipping more sustainable, Germany's second-largest shipping service provider is now cooperating with hey circle. With its innovative shipping solution, the reusable pioneer from Munich offers an environmentally friendly and efficient alternative to disposable shipping packaging.
hey circle says its reusable shipping boxes provide better protection than conventional single-use packaging for shipments while significantly reducing waste due to their long lifespan. The boxes can be used for up to 50 cycles between companies and their customers and partners, as well as for internal shipping.
The company adds that in many cases there are cost savings as the packaging does not always have to be purchased new – this could apply to closed-loop systems and retailers with high return rates, for example. DPD and hey circle have tested how well the foldable, recyclable packaging fits into logistics workflows through a trial run with clothing manufacturer Trigema, where 200 XL boxes were used between production facilities and stores.
Apparently, shipping with hey circle works similarly to using a cardboard box: businesses can rent or purchase the bags and boxes, the goods are packed, a return label is included, and the packaging is sealed with a zipper and security seal. For shipments to private customers, hey circle offers a plugin that makes the reusable option visible at checkout.
The shipping bags and boxes range up to partial pallet size to cover multiple shipping scenarios. hey circle says the box or bag is used without a deposit but must always be returned, otherwise it will be invoiced. It can be returned to the retailer empty and folded or fully assembled, with or without goods.
Returns can be handed directly to a DPD courier or dropped off at a collection point. Once back at the warehouse, the packaging is inspected and prepared for the next shipment. As part of the sales cooperation, DPD will act as an intermediary between hey circle and its business customers, aiming to enable easy integration of the boxes and bags into existing logistics processes.
Interzero teamed up with hey circle last summer, utilizing its reusable shipping boxes for the return and shipment of smartphones, tablets, and hard drives. Hoping to reduce waste and save CO2 emissions in package shipping, Interzero used hey circle L and XL boxes which feature a fully enclosed design with theft protection.
Several months later, optician wholesaler pricon and hey circle collaborated, with the reusable shipping bags covering approximately 90% of all shipments. Replacing the previous single-use cardboard boxes, the switch was expected to save 97% of CO₂ emissions and approximately 7.5 kg of waste over 50 cycles.
‘Our partnership with hey circle is another important step on the way to more sustainable parcel shipping. We see our role as offering customers innovative, environmentally friendly solutions that can be easily integrated into the existing shipping process. With the reusable shipping bags from hey circle, we are setting an example for more sustainable logistics.’ Dr Karsten Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer at DPD Germany
Sources: packagingeurope.com; dpd.com