DPD Germany has partnered with reusable packaging supplier Hey Circle to improve the sustainability of the 350 million parcels it ships each year.
According to DPD, Hey Circle’s reusable shipping boxes provide customers with an environmentally friendly, stable and reusable packaging material that protects their shipments more securely and produces less waste thanks to its durability. The reusable boxes and bags can be used for numerous rounds between online retailers and their customers and partners, helping to save costs.
“Our partnership with Hey Circle is another important step on the way to more sustainable parcel shipping,” said Dr Karsten Schwarz, chief executive officer at DPD Germany. “We see our role as offering customers innovative, environmentally friendly solutions that can be easily integrated into the existing shipping process. With the reusable shipping bags from Hey Circle, we are setting an example for more sustainable logistics.”
As part of the sales cooperation, DPD will act as an intermediary between Hey Circle and its own business customers. The cooperation will also be used to convince joint customers of the respective product offerings.
“DPD and Hey Circle have a common goal: a comprehensive reusable concept for e-commerce. Through the partnership, shipping companies will learn that they can utilize established logistics processes with a new type of packaging. We are looking forward to working together to win lighthouse customers for waste-free shipping,” commented Doris Diebold, founder and CEO of Hey Circle.
How reusable shipping works
Shipping with Hey Circle works in a similar way to cardboard boxes: companies rent or buy the bags and boxes. The goods are packed, a return label is enclosed and the packaging is sealed with a zip and security seal. For shipping to private customers, Hey Circle has a plugin that makes the reusable option visible in the checkout. The box or bag can be used without a deposit, but must be returned in any case, otherwise it will be charged.
It is returned directly to the retailer with or without the goods, empty and folded or assembled. It can be given directly to the DPD delivery driver or taken to one of the more than 8,500 Pickup parcel shops across Germany. Back at the warehouse, it is checked and prepared for the next shipment. All shipping needs are covered with shipping bags and boxes up to partial pallet size.