Austrian Post Introduces New Reusable Packaging Post Loop

With “Post Loop”, the Austrian Post AG now offers a new standard service for all business customers. Online shops can send their products in reusable packaging, which recipients can open, fold up, and return via mailboxes, post partners, post offices, or self-service devices.

(Vienna) The packaging is collected by the Post, inventoried, and prepared for the next shipment. Depending on the packaging, up to 30 shipping cycles can be successfully completed. As the first shipping customer, the telecommunications provider Drei Österreich is now offering the reusable packaging from Post Loop in its web shop.

“The Austrian Post has kept its promise! We subjected the reusable packaging to a rigorous practical test under scientific supervision and promised a standard service as a result. With Post Loop, all business customers now have the opportunity to switch to a truly sustainable packaging solution. With the appropriate deposit system, senders can also motivate consumers to contribute to a green future,” explains Peter Umundum, Director of Packages & Logistics, Austrian Post AG.

Günter Lischka, CCO at Drei: “We are proud to be the first Austrian telecommunications provider to offer the reusable Loop packaging from the Post, including the deposit system, right from the start in the Drei web shop. Climate and environmental protection, as well as careful resource management, are extremely important to us. 95% of our total electricity consumption, including network operation, already comes from renewable energy sources. We plan to switch the remaining 5% by the end of the year. The new sustainable Loop packaging is another important measure we are taking to achieve our net-zero goals.”

Post Loop packages and bags are available in several sizes made from wood fiber material and recycled PET. Due to sustainable production and proper recycling, the packaging already causes fewer emissions than comparable single-use cartons from the second use onwards. Each additional shipment saves further CO₂ emissions and raw materials.

Two Tariffs – Three Packaging Options

The Austrian Post offers the new service in two tariffs: Post Loop Service and Post Loop Service Plus. With the basic variant Post Loop Service, companies can use their own reusable packaging. The Post takes care of the shipping of the goods as well as the return transport of the packaging. The cleaning and preparation are handled by the senders themselves. The price for Post Loop Service is 1.60 euros per piece and cycle.

The complete service is available with Post Loop Service Plus. The shipping packaging can be rented directly from the Post, which takes care of the goods shipping and return transport, cleaning, preparation, and inventorying, and provides the packaging for the next shipping cycle. If a packaging reaches the end of its life, the Post takes care of proper recycling. The price for Post Loop Service Plus ranges from 2.50 to 3.30 euros per piece and cycle, depending on the packaging.

The reusable packaging was developed in collaboration with the Danish packaging specialist RE-ZIP and the German start-up hey circle and is available in three variants:

• Post Loop Package A: Box made from wood fiber material in three sizes. Reusable up to ten times. Particularly suitable for clothing, sports items, shoes, electronics, cosmetics, books, and general merchandise. Can be recycled as waste paper.
• Post Loop Bag B: Bag made from coated wood fiber material in four sizes. Reusable up to 30 times. Particularly suitable for clothing and non-fragile goods. Can be recycled through the packaging manufacturer.
• Post Loop Bag C: Bag made from recycled PET in three sizes. Reusable up to 30 times. Particularly suitable for clothing, sports items, shoes, electronics, cosmetics, books, general merchandise, non-fragile goods, and valuable items. Can be recycled through plastic recycling.

For online orders, everything remains the same until the goods are received. Instead of throwing the empty packaging in the trash, it is folded to the size of a letter and returned. In addition to instructions, the Post Loop packages also have a “guestbook map” printed on them: recipients can leave a mark here to show where and how often the packaging has been in Austria.

Return of Packaging Possible at Various Locations

The folded packaging can be returned via mailboxes, post partners, post offices, or self-service devices. At the return location, a QR code on the packaging must first be scanned with the RE-ZIP app; only this step confirms the return. Online shops have the option to offer consumers a credit, a voucher, or the previously collected deposit as a small thank you for returning the packaging.

Photo: © Austrian Post / Image Caption: Used packaging can be returned in any post mailbox