Go Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

ReFrastructure

We make reusables competitive!

An overview of our projects can be found here:

Retailing without virgin plastic

Our vision

We enable reuse eco systems in all areas – from take-away to supermarkets.

Next steps

TAKE-AWAY:
Return Anywhere

We start with the take-away sector.
During a pilot project, we enable the cross-return of reusables at restaurants and integrate central return-points.
This creates a comprehensive return-network within a city.
Citizens can return reusable cups and bowls anywhere (Return Anywhere).
Reuse becomes convenient!

Which problems does ReFrastructure solve?

1. Convenience beats sustainability

We support all initiatives which try to reduce single-use packaging by implemeting reuse solutions or by offering unpacked products. However, we are convinced that a system change also requires reusable containers that can be (re) filled at the place of production, taken off the shelf and returned anywhere (Return Anywhere). Only then reuse will be accepted by citizens.

2. Infrastructure costs

Each individual system on its own cannot sustain the cost of a return-anywhere infrastructure and cannot achieve the minimum volume for competitive costs compared to single-use packaging.

3. Monopoly

If a provider of a reuse data platform gains widespread acceptance this may lead to monopolistic structures as we observe with Amazon, Uber or Airbnb. Data possession is power. Manufacturers and retailers may become dependent on this provider.

4. ReFrastructure

ReFrastructure solves the dilemma of monopoly abuse by its legal structure and data design. As a foundation for the common good our purpose is limited to digital infrastructure. We may not offer our own containers nor engage in logistics or cleaning. Our distributed ledger technology enables synergies and efficiency gains without compromising data sovereignity.

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Our approach

#purposeplatform

Platform economy for the common good

The purpose of ReFrastructure is to enable the system change towards reusable packaging and to treat all stakeholders of the ecosystem fairly.

To ensure that ReFrastructure does not become a monopolistic platform and that successes benefit all participants, ReFrastructure has been designed to be legally neutral (gGmbH / foundation).

ReFrastructure cannot be sold. Profits have to be reinvested or used to reduce costs.

#neutralityisking

Scaling through neutrality

Profits are reinvested or used to reduce costs. We enable the generation of synergies. In contrast to current platforms like e.g. Amazon, we preserve the data sovereignty of the individual market participants and do not exploit the data for our own benefit. As a neutral and trusted partner, we scale reusable packaging together with all market participants.

#usingtechnologyabetterway

System change based on technology

The use of digital, automated clearing processes for financial flows and logistics enables competitiveness reusable packaging to compete vis-à-vis single-use packaging.