The circular model is based on packaging designed for at least 40 uses and is expected to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastics by up to 95%.
The companies Ausolan, Awayter, ITC Packaging and Aimplas are collaborating on the project.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), more than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced worldwide each year, around half of which is intended for single use. Less than 10% of this waste is recycled, contributing to the growing problem of global plastic pollution. As UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen has stated, addressing this crisis requires more than recycling alone and calls for a systemic shift towards a circular economy.
Against this backdrop, ReLoop was launched. The project integrates automated food dispensing with the return of reusable, traceable containers within a closed-loop system. This approach, which is not yet available on the market, aims to reduce the carbon footprint by between 90% and 95% compared to single-use packaging.
The initiative is driven by a consortium consisting of Ausolan, a provider of catering services for institutions; Awayter, a developer of IoT and self-service technologies; ITC Packaging, a packaging manufacturer; and AIMPLAS, a plastics technology centre. Together, the partners are developing a circular model that enables reusable packaging to circulate, tracks its lifecycle, and manages its automated return.
The project also aligns with increasingly strict regulatory requirements. In Spain, Law 7/2022 introduces a tax of €0.45 per kilogram on non-recycled plastic used in non-reusable packaging, encouraging the adoption of more sustainable solutions.
One of the main objectives of ReLoop is to develop reusable and traceable food packaging capable of withstanding at least 40 usage cycles while maintaining food safety, functionality and consumer acceptance. To achieve this, the consortium is researching materials that can endure repeated washing and drying without losing quality and that can be recycled at the end of their service life.
Another focus of the project is the tracking and management of reusable containers to ensure effective and measurable reuse. ReLoop is developing systems to monitor each container’s journey and count its usage cycles.
In parallel, the project is designing a fully digital, 24/7 automated canteen that combines food dispensing with the return of reusable containers. Users will be able to order food, make contactless payments, and return containers for cleaning and reuse. Currently, no comparable system integrates both food distribution and container recovery in a single closed-loop solution.
The project also includes the development of washing and drying protocols tailored to reusable containers and their contents. These processes are essential to maintain hygiene standards, protect material integrity, and prevent microbial growth.
Overall, ReLoop is working towards a circular model primarily suited to communal catering environments, addressing technological, logistical and economic challenges to ensure practical implementation.
The project is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the State Research Agency’s 2024 Public-Private Partnership programme and is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
