By repeatedly returning containers, we save a significant amount of resources and energy. The closed loop ensures that materials return as single-stream inputs, allowing closures to be recycled 100%. Currently, the recycling system cannot guarantee this for most collected materials due to mixed plastics and costly processing. This leads to enormous losses of valuable energy and resources. Furthermore, the returnable system has been proven in the beverage industry for decades, setting a benchmark for responsible resource management.

Refill systems are a great approach to reduce conventional single-use waste. However, they currently require large machines from brand manufacturers to be implemented in retail, which limits the scalability to a wide range of products. Many consumers also prefer to stick to their familiar consumption patterns and may find switching to various refill systems too cumbersome. Therefore, we believe that returnable systems are the more practical choice: they apply to most products and allow users to maintain their established consumption habits. Customers return old containers and purchase new ones, with the only addition being the return of the empty container. We are also confident that it won’t be long before brands start offering zerooo returnable containers with screw caps for refill purposes at home.

See the life cycle assessment. Generally, returnable systems are more environmentally friendly in most cases because the majority of resource and energy use occurs during procurement and manufacturing. When we reuse a bottle multiple times, we can divide this part of the life cycle assessment through reuse. Additionally, at the end of a container’s life, unlike single-use containers, there is almost no waste generated, meaning we don’t continuously require more resources for packaging.
How widespread is the zerooo systematic reuse network?
[Information about the network’s availability, locations, or growth can be added here.

Empty containers can be returned at the checkout in most drugstores in the same way as Sodastream CO2 cartridges or empty drinks containers. At participating food retail stores, zerooo containers can be returned at the deposit machine. In principle, users can return the containers to all stores that stock products in zerooo reusable containers. An overview of which major retail partners are already participating can be found in the zerooo reusable guide at www.zerooo.com/storefinder-mehrwegweiser.

All products in the zerooo reusable system are delivered against the purchase price PLUS €0.50 deposit for the container. The deposit will be returned to the customer upon return at the checkout, at the deposit machine (where available) or upon collection at the front door, provided a retail partner delivers to the customer’s home.

Yes, zerooo returnable deposit bottles are compatible with all deposit machines. Empties are taken back wherever zerooo products are available. At participating drugstore chains, empties are taken back at the checkout, as are empty drinks bottles. As not all retailers have (yet) joined zerooo, it is unfortunately not (yet) possible to guarantee that it will be taken back everywhere. You can find out which partners are already up and running on the websites of your favorite brands. National retail partners who are already zerooo retail partners can be found on the reusable signpost on zerooo.com.

No, because the pumps and caps ensure that no residual liquids run out of the containers and the thread is also protected so that the containers make as many reusable rounds as possible. In addition, we can ensure that the caps are 100% sorted and recycled on our washing line, something that even the yellow bag in front of the sorting machine cannot guarantee. Of course, containers without caps are also taken back.