I did not see a mention in this article regarding the average expected price premium for a Loop-version of a product versus a non-recycle/upcycle version of the same product.
I went looking for additional details to see if I could track down an answer, but I haven’t clear indication. Granted it’s a new(ish) model and the consortium is likely in the middle of market research and pricing experimentation.
A packaging industry news source, Packing Digest, has additional information about the offering and an interview with TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky[0]. In it I get a glimpse of the subscription-based, mid-sized ordering model they seem be leaning to:
“Q:: If consumers return the package for refilling/reuse once it’s empty, won’t they run out of product? Or is the concept to create a pool of packages that are reused for/by different consumers? For that matter, is the concept to create a pool of packages that are used/reused for/by different brands?
TerraCycle: Loop brings to market a new subscription model: subscription based on consumption. Since the empty packages are returned to Loop, we are aware of consumers’ consumption rates and replenish only when they have finished the product. The target for turnaround is two days.”
Reusable glass bottle milk delivery (direct from a local dairy) and retail sales (Whole Foods, your local boutique health food store, etc.) have worked because it’s a commodity product, available in reasonable quantities on demand, and bottles can be stockpiled for a time before being returned if needed. The deposit costs aren’t (at least where I am located) a make-or-break situation, but ultimately I buy them less for the ecological benefits, though I recognize them, and more for the quality differences when compared to the waxed cardboard, ultra-pasteurized regional alternatives.
Would I spend more for the same P&G or Unilever products? Especially if I had to pay an upfront premium for the product, worry about a deposit, AND handle my own return shipping? I’m not sure.
> If consumers return the package for refilling/reuse once it’s empty, won’t they run out of product?
This happens for any product you buy anyway, and the solution is to always have one extra. I assume (hope) that such buffering scheme will be available.
> Would I spend more for the same P&G or Unilever products? Especially if I had to pay an upfront premium for the product, worry about a deposit, AND handle my own return shipping? I’m not sure.
Personally, if it was shown to be environmentally better - or even equivalent - solution, I would in a heartbeat. I absolutely hate that we use so much disposable packaging.
I also hope they eventually centralize it a bit via stores, because extra shipping ain't good for environment either.
"Apart from the refundable deposit on the package, the cost of the products will be similar to what customers pay now. Customers may also pay for shipping the totes back and forth, though a certain number of products can be shipped free, depending on the weight."
I went looking for additional details to see if I could track down an answer, but I haven’t clear indication. Granted it’s a new(ish) model and the consortium is likely in the middle of market research and pricing experimentation.
A packaging industry news source, Packing Digest, has additional information about the offering and an interview with TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky[0]. In it I get a glimpse of the subscription-based, mid-sized ordering model they seem be leaning to:
“Q:: If consumers return the package for refilling/reuse once it’s empty, won’t they run out of product? Or is the concept to create a pool of packages that are reused for/by different consumers? For that matter, is the concept to create a pool of packages that are used/reused for/by different brands?
TerraCycle: Loop brings to market a new subscription model: subscription based on consumption. Since the empty packages are returned to Loop, we are aware of consumers’ consumption rates and replenish only when they have finished the product. The target for turnaround is two days.”
Reusable glass bottle milk delivery (direct from a local dairy) and retail sales (Whole Foods, your local boutique health food store, etc.) have worked because it’s a commodity product, available in reasonable quantities on demand, and bottles can be stockpiled for a time before being returned if needed. The deposit costs aren’t (at least where I am located) a make-or-break situation, but ultimately I buy them less for the ecological benefits, though I recognize them, and more for the quality differences when compared to the waxed cardboard, ultra-pasteurized regional alternatives.
Would I spend more for the same P&G or Unilever products? Especially if I had to pay an upfront premium for the product, worry about a deposit, AND handle my own return shipping? I’m not sure.
https://www.packagingdigest.com/sustainable-packaging/loop-b...