Subscribe
Sign in
Loop — Waste-free shopping system with reusable packaging ♻️
Loop is a new subscription service aiming to phase out single-use plastics. The program, first rolling out in US and France, will provide high-quality, durable packaging that can be returned and refilled.
48
Replies
This looks like a really cool concept and I think I would probably use it. My only question is how I would go about refilling products that I use on a daily basis. How do I brush my teeth or wash my hair while I'm waiting for the new Loop package to arrive.
This is the type of disruption our planet desperately needs right now. That being said, it's a good first step but equal thought needs to be applied towards shipping/distribution of products like this. Getting rid of single use plastic is fantastic - but shipping one off orders is still a problem. Planes emit a ton of pollution as well. If this could be done via a network of local sanitation/resupplying centers, this would be amazing.
@magnuson I'm not sure I understand the logic of that. So toxic mainstream brands should also continue to use single-use plastic containers? It seems to me that unless the toxic mainstream brands are going out of business, at least they can stop using single-use plastics. Not to mention, a service like this will probably only survive if it has mainstream brands on board. A boutique specialty brand service won't have enough appeal or impact to be worthwhile or profitable long-term.
@magnuson I hear you there. But @iconifyit is correct too, we need major brands on board for widespread adoption, and the biggest impact.
@magnuson @kate_pate I should have made clear that I agree with the "fewer toxic brands" overall. My wife and I buy only animal and eco-friendly brands of everything possible. My comment is really about the practical matter. Unfortunately, the majority of the consumer public isn't as conscientious whether out of apathy, lack of awareness, or affordability. Any way the situation can be improved is a positive, IMO. But apologies, Charles. I didn't mean to sound argumentative or critical of your comment.
I signed up to check this out if it rolls out in my area. There are a couple things:
1. Will price (less deposits) be comparable?
2. Will more natural brands be added?
Someone mentioned using natural products. I'm in that camp. I'd use this if I could start getting some of those types of products in a plastic-free way.
These are great news! We are in urgent need of a shift in the way we consume, the paradigm today ignores so much the waste it generates that it drives me mad.
PS: Impossible not to recall that this was something normal in the early days for some products, and still popular here (Argentina) for beer and "soda" (which is in fact not soda, but sparkle water siphons).
PS2: Sweden has already in place a nice solution to recycle a lot of common packaging (I think that mostly bottles and cans) where you get the extra money you pay for the packaging back. I've just seen it as a tourist but thrilled me. If you are interested: https://www.thelocal.se/20180328...
How is this not trending more? Their partner-brands are massive and going out of their way to make it work it seems (chewable toothpaste 🦷by OralB ...), no useless plastic or cardboard, massive value for the brands as recurring purchase almost guaranteed.... Prediction time: Amazon will buy them or recreate if it's mildly popular. #green 🌍 👍🛒
@antoinetheman Agree with you. This should be trending big time because this is a huge deal. Major brands working together to help reduce single plastic use. This kind of initiative can help change the world.
I like it and I don't like it.
I am just like the next guy to save the planet, be conscious, use reusable
However, the reason why brands spend that much on branding because it is part of the experience and the way for them to stand out.
So I want my milk being ... eh... just milk, I don't care how it looks like, it is white thingy in my fridge. But I want my expensive aftershave in the standout packaging, at least I would not use detergent instead of it because it is in the same looking package.
Not for me, sorry
@ipstas What a poor judgment Stan, you seem to care more about your self than your planet. Your attitude is your legacy to your chidren. I hope you just wrote this up wih no second thoughts. At the end, we will win over selfsih people like you seem to be
@ipstas @ramonpuig I'm not sure that it's a poor judgement. Packaging one of the very important ways brands market to consumers and it's churlish to ignore that. Loop has a strong concept in trying to remove the need for single use packaging however I'm yet to be convinced whether a workable business model can come from the cost of picking up empty bottles, transporting them back to some facility, cleaning them, refilling and delivering again to the customer in a way that isn't costly and environmentally unfriendly compared to just buying a bottle in a shop. Bottle deposit schemes and the like already do this effectively in plenty of countries. All this seems fairly up-in-the-air as the website doesn't have much more than a promo video
Conceptually, I love this. There's one big problem, though. As soon as the branding starts to scratch off of the packages, or the packaging gets scratched or dinged in any way, it immediately looks used and unsanitary. Neither the brands nor their consumers will want that, and these will likely end up as a single use plastic in a landfill somewhere anyway. I'd love to hear from the people running Loop what they're doing to address that.
Exciting business model, especially now that companies such as Unilever, Pepsi and more are on board with this, only thing that could disrupt it, is timing, it would need to be efficient, but I'm excited to give it a try!
I was just thinking that this should exist a few weeks ago. I'm glad someone is doing it! With all the deliveries we get from online shopping these days, packaging is getting ridiculously wasteful. This is a brilliant solution!
Tokyo is a pilot city? Nope, not going to work there, I don't think -- not among Japanese people anyhow. Maybe US and Euro expats.
The Japanese have some ingenious packaging, e.g., convenience store sushi wrapped in such a way that the seaweed never touches the rice until you pull the packaging apart. And they have individually wrapped fruit, and that sort of thing. Packaging is an integral part of the merchandising. And they already recycle all of their beverage containers, which are all standardized, including the plastic labels.
If you live in a major metropolitan area, this is GREAT! However, therein lies the problem for those who live in very rural areas (thus, are forced to do mostly online shopping). With all the deliveries, the shipping and packaging gets ridiculous. We sort and recycle everything we can (have to separate and haul to recycling trailer in nearest town) but even with that, there's still a lot of waste.
*Not in any way is this meant to be derogatory against Loop--it sounds like a great concept, just making personal observation and being jealous of those who WILL be able to use it. :)
Summer Bod 2020