LOOP BOX: Circular Economy Model

If you read and follow me on the socials, you would know that I write on zero waste and plastic as part of encouraging a sustainable lifestyle.

For those new to the term “circular economy“, it is:

The opposite of our current unsustainable linear economy, based on the take-make-use-dispose model. Circular economy aims to curb the excessive extraction of raw materials and seeks to use and re-use products and materials as possible.

This may include either or all of the following methods: reuse, recycle, upcycle, re-manufacture and re-design, and the circular economy links to the sharing economy. Think Uber.

So, there I am browsing LinkedIn when I see an article on a new circular delivery service of products to curb escalating plastic & packaging waste. My curiosity piques and I read on.

The new reuse model is LOOP Box, by TerraCycle, and it is first unveiled in Paris before crossing the pond to New York City in Spring 2019.

TerraCycle collaborates with corporations like Pantene, Danone, Gillette et al to create LOOP Box reuse delivery system of household goods.

On LOOP US, shop grocery, household and personal care brands with NO subscription or membership.

When you order a product, there is a small refundable deposit to “borrow” the box, that most likely covers cleaning, re-filling and transport, amongst other hidden costs.

Remember that once you use the contents and schedule a pick-up for your LOOP Box, each container is thoroughly cleaned, filled with product and sent out again.

I am told that this is similar to the milk delivery system of past decades where families put out empty bottles to be collected, cleaned and returned with more milk.

In July, I receive a complimentary LOOP Box and I eagerly open the box to view its contents.

 

LOOP Box Review

First Impressions

The LOOP Box is a large blue and black box with LOOP lettering on the outside so I know immediately it is mine.

I cannot carry this heavy box so I just push it with my feet; luckily, my apartment is on the ground floor so it’s not too hard.

 

The top of the box is held secure with a blue zip tie; I cut this open and save it because remember, we’re not throwing anything away. We’re returning every single thing to TerraCycle for reuse.

I slowly unzip the box and open it up like an explorer discovering lost treasure and while there are no rays of light bursting forth, there are products wrapped in individual protective material.

There is not a bubble wrap, ice pack or grey air pack in sight and I am thrown off. Interesting.

This whole reuse model eliminates the bane that is single-use plastic packaging material and I am here for it to be normalized!

Before unveiling each product, I pause to read information placed on the inside lid of the box. There is a handy infograph of how to use, schedule a pick-up and refill LOOP Box and it is helpful.

Remember the zip-tie I cut when opening the box? There is another zip-tie present to re-seal the box for pick-up.

Fun Observation: The shipping label is reversible for when you are ready to schedule a pick up. No need to print out labels or hunt for a marker to write a return address. Marvellous!

LOOP BOX PRODUCTS

Inside, there are two leaflets of product ingredient and nutritional info and I see my beloved Haagen-Dazs. Hello!

I excitedly remove each product from the box and lay them on the hardwood floor. These are my LOOP Box products:

• Haagen-Dazs ice cream (alas, the tin is empty. Boo!)
• Hidden Valley ranch dressing
• REN body wash clean skincare
• Body Shop tea-tree oil (Yay! I love Body Shop)
• Neuriva Original and Move Free Ultra supplements for brain health and joints
• Tide plant-based detergent (Omg. This will last the rest of the year. Serious.)
• Cascade dishwasher tablets (alas, the only dishwasher I own are slender fingers)
• Clorox disposable towelettes in a sleek Kohler durable container
• A lovely LOOP tote bag with razors and extra blades (Finally! Something sharp enough for my leg hairs)
• Gillette individual men’s razor in sleek black casing
• Pantene shampoo and conditioner in white and gold with art and lettering on ocean use.

 

I’m still in a mood about no ice cream (#jokingnotjoking) but ready to use the Pantene shampoo and conditioner first seeing as it is a Sunday and my weekly hair wash day.

Yes. I wash my hair weekly because I am Black with kinky coily locks that tangle to the heavens and dry out easily.

Three months ago, I ditch shampoo bottles for bars to reduce my plastic consumption so I am happy that I can easily return these Pantene containers for reuse. Phew! Click To Tweet

I am going to give the Cascade gels out but I’m gushing about the Tide detergent. Do you know how much a large bottle costs??

Confession: I am slowly weaning myself off disposable towelettes (both skin care and household) after realizing their negative impacts on landfills. Disposable wipes generate 7.6bn tons of garbage and a lot more in plastic waste.

I know there are alternatives to this – cleaning cloths and rags – because I grew up without disposable wipes, so I’m slowly returning to my sustainable roots.

I love that these are products I use – bar Cascade gels – and can return to TerraCycle for reuse instead of sorting for recycling with the probability of ending in landfill.

 

LOOP BOX REVIEW: CURRENT RECYCLING TRENDS

So…how does LOOP Box contribute to the circular economy?

 

News articles have shown that it might be cheaper to trash recycleable material - the horror! - because of China halting its waste importation programs from developed nations. Click To Tweet

 

Brief History

U.S. and other first-world nations had been shipping plastic and other waste material to China for recycling but in 2018, the Chinese government put a stop to this practice because of low quality and contaminated material that cost time and money to sort and clean.

As a result, material was overwhelming Chinese facilities and to overcome the problem, they resorted to landfill, defeating the purpose of recycling.

China paid good money for U.S. waste and once this import ban began, recycling programs drastically reduced thus, material ended up in landfill or incinerators.

There is a great NPR Planet Money podcast on the aftermath of this ban and it is very informative.

Back to the LOOP Box.

This reuse model as part of a circular delivery system will definitely reduce the amount of plastic and packaging sent to landfill, by closing the loop and extending the life of product containers.

It is also a positive step in the establishment of a true circular economy in the U.S. and once brands jump on the bandwagon, there will be a shift in how corporations view and reuse plastic and packaging waste.

LAST WORD

I really love this circular delivery concept with LOOP Box and once I exhaust my products, I shall be ordering Haagen-Dazs immediately, dang it.

Read more on how to transition to a plastic-free lifestyle as well as a zero waste checklist for home.

Let me know if you like the LOOP Box concept and will add it to your eco-friendly lifestyle.

See you on the social streets! xx

 

*I received a complimentary LOOP Box, and of course, all review opinions are my own*

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