Danish parcel locker provider SwipBox has launched a new circular packaging solution, which can be reused up to 1,000 times, as it works towards making the delivery process more sustainable and to help retailers and logistics firms meet upcoming legal requirements.
The solution, named SwipBox Circuit, is set to be trialled with a “trusted partner” soon, according to SwipBox Commercial Development Director Mark Yeoman. It provides a highly sustainable shipping solution for web shops and logistics providers.
Currently, a consumer picks up a parcel, takes it home and discards the packaging. With the Circuit solution, however, the consumer removes the content and leaves the packaging in the locker for the courier to return. “Compared to disposable cardboard packaging, which has an average lifetime of 24 hours, the sustainable benefits of the Circuit solution become clear,” SwipBox noted.
The firm revealed that the Circuit packaging has been developed following its acquisition of Pero Solutions, which develops sustainable technological solutions for use in the e-commerce logistics area. Pero initially developed the “intelligent labelling solution in close collaboration with a local packaging manufacturer,” SwipBox noted.
Packaging directives
SwipBox is launching Circuit this Autumn to reduce the climate footprint of web shops and logistics firms, and help customers meet the forthcoming legal requirements contained in Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.
“By December 31, 2025, at least 65% by weight of all packaging waste must be recycled,” said Yeoman. “The Circuit solution, which we are about to pilot with a trusted Infinity partner, will help logistics providers fulfil the requirements of this directive.”
SwipBox’s Infinity parcel lockers run on a battery and require neither Wi-Fi nor mobile data connection for operation. This means that the parcel locker can be installed in “less than five minutes, enabling extremely flexible networks,” the company noted.
Sustainable design
They have also been designed to be as sustainable as possible, as SwipBox founder Allan Kaczmarek, explained: “Being part of the UN SDG Accelerator Program, sustainability is front of mind for us. Apart from having made the Infinity parcel locker extremely energy-efficient, we have also designed it for disassembly, with 98.8% of its materials easily disposed of in standard waste fractions to be recycled. With the Circuit solution we’re now introducing a highly sustainable shipping solution.”
The launch of Circuit follows a string of new contract wins for SwipBox, which is currently working with the likes of Posten Norge, Cargus in Romania, and DB Schenker partner Orian to roll out widescale locker networks.
