Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor

June 24, 2019

3 Min Read
Loop reusable packaging shopping platform launches in the U.S.
Online shoppers in the New York area can now order Loop products in their durable, high-end, reusable packages.

As the Loop circular-economy ecommerce shopping platform launches in New York—and debuts online in the U.S. through retailers Walgreens and Kroger—its architect will be stepping on stage at the upcoming EastPack event to convince you of the value and timeliness of durable, reusable packaging.

On Tues., June 11, from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. in the Packaging Hub (Booth 2370), Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle and inventor of Loop, will answer “Why Big Brands Are Revisiting the Milkman Model.” Attendees to EastPack 2019 (June 11-13; New York City) can attend the presentation for free. Register by clicking here.

Tom Szaky

Tom Szaky

Szaky—who I consider the Steve Jobs of packaging sustainability and corporate responsibility—has teamed up with an impressive list of brand owners like Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola and Unilever to envision a seismic shift in consumer product consumption with reusable, luxury packaging at its core (“Loop and big brands boldly reinvent waste-free packaging”).

All products on the Loop shopping platform are sold in premium and long-lasting packaging that is designed for multiple reuse before ultimately being recycled. The lifespan of each package will vary but the goal is a minimum of, say, 10 trips, with some packages being designed to withstand 10 times that.

Loop announced its exclusive partnerships in the U.S. with Walgreens and Kroger in a May 21, 2019, press release. Initially, the Loop products will be available at www.thekrogerco.com/loop or www.walgreens.com/loop (as well as at www.loopstore.com). But future plans are that consumers will be able to buy Loop products in brick-and-mortar stores in select Kroger and Walgreens markets.

“Kroger’s commitment to embrace innovation on our path to Zero Hunger/Zero Waste aligns perfectly with Loop’s mission to create a convenient circular packaging solution for consumers,” said Jessica Adelman, Kroger’s group vice president of corporate affairs, in the press release. “We believe in giving our customers sustainable packaging choices they can feel good about. As the exclusive grocery retail partner for Loop in the United States, Kroger is taking another big step toward a world with zero waste.”

“Walgreens is excited about this opportunity to help consumers purchase sustainably packaged products and contribute to a healthier planet,” said Lauren Brindley, Walgreens group vp of beauty and personal care, in the same press announcement. “Innovative collaborations with partners like Loop are critical to solving the complex issue of reducing single-use plastics. Our customers look to us to innovate so that together we can reduce waste and increase re-use.”

Further expansion plans are quickly moving along, too. Earlier today (June 6), Loop announced a partnership with Loblaws to offer Loop products in the Toronto area starting in early 2020.

As criticism for single-use packaging (usually single-use plastic packaging) reaches a fever pitch, product manufacturers and consumers alike seem to be more open to alternative packaging formats. From a consumer experience point of view, the Loop website explains why its “no tradeoffs” concept may be the secret ingredient to acceptance: “The unintended consequences of our addiction to single-use packaging are here. It is important to urgently move from disposable to reusable solutions at mass scale. But we can’t do it if we ask people to sacrifice, and with durable design we don’t need to.”

I can’t wait to hear further up-to-the-minute Loop updates from Szaky during his presentation on June 11. Come join us!

About the Author(s)

Lisa McTigue Pierce

Executive Editor, Packaging Digest

Lisa McTigue Pierce is Executive Editor of Packaging Digest. She’s been a packaging media journalist since 1982 and tracks emerging trends, new technologies, and best practices across a spectrum of markets for the publication’s global community. Reach her at [email protected] or 630-272-1774.

Sign up for the Packaging Digest News & Insights newsletter.

You May Also Like