Problem: We send millions of packages every single day. Each one is wrapped in plastic, first layer of cardboard, second layer of cardboard and extra bubble wrap. Once the package reaches your house from the retailer, it takes only a couple of minutes to unrwap and throw it all in the trash.
Target: Retailers/e-commerce operating on a local/regional market. 📦
Proposed Solution: A courier service that has their own reusable packaging and picks up the product “raw” from the retailer, packages it in the presence of the retailer and delivers to the customer using the reusable packaging.
Benefits:
– Fewer packaging waste.
– Cheaper for the retailer/e-commerce since they don’t spend money on packaging themselves.
– Easier to track package ownership and lose fewer products (in theory).
Challenges:
– Product safety: What are the chances of the product being transported in a good condition if the manufacturer doesn’t design the packaging as well? This could be offset with a packaging co-design session with the courier though.
– Cannot be used if the product switches couriers (international delivery) since each delivery company has their own processes.
– Liability & ownership: Product accidentaly breaks. Who’s responsible for it?