PHILIPS 2021 Student Service Design Challenge: Designing Reverse Logistic Services
Reimagining the grocery shopping experience in big-boxed grocery stores to reduce single-use plastic that comes from food packaging.
The prevailing linear economy fosters unsustainable production processes and business models, resulting in excess waste and ecosystem threats. The central challenge revolves around implementing a reverse logistics system to address these issues.
A return-on-the-go reuse system designed to help Canadians develop sustainable grocery shopping habits amidst the implementation of single-use plastic. Packback was designed to bring an accessible and sustainable grocery shopping experience for users surrounding the area of packaging. Through freely packed produce and the use of reusable packaging, we aimed to tackle the problem of food waste and packaging waste simultaneously.
This project was selected as a finalist in the global Student Service Design Challenge in 2021.
Soft mesh bags designed to replace the current clear plastic bag dispensed on rolls. They are used for items that don’t need it’s own container, but could be kept separated from other produce while shopping or in home storage. They contain items such as, but not limited to: heads of lettuce, apples, and on-the-vine tomatoes.
Pint-sized hard containers used for produce that are small and delicate that could bruise if not carefully stored. Pack Bins come in two sizes and are designed with small holes in the lid to keep produce fresh. They are used to store produce such as, but not limited to: berries, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms.
A carry-all bag that will replace the single-use or for purchase bags typically provided at checkout. Pack-It-All is a durable shopping bag that holds the Pack Bins and Pack Bags and can be carried as a handbag like a regular shopping tote, or as a backpack for hands-free convenient carrying.
Larger produce (lettuce heads, apples, etc.), can be stored in Pack Bags, and placed into the shoppers basket/cart.
The Pack Bag dispensers will be located frequently around the store, generally replacing the roller dispenser for clear plastic bags. This will limit customer traffic and retain shopping convenience and accessibility.
At checkout, the Pack Back containers used are scanned via a barcode system integrated into the store’s existing infrastructure. The customer pays either a deposit for each Pack Back item used, or pay a membership fee. All groceries are stored into the Pack-It-All for secure transportation home.
At home, the user can put the Pack Back containers straight into the fridge, or unpack them to their own preference. When empty the Pack Bins stack to allow for package accumulation.
At their own convenience the customers return their containers at their grocery store’s designated drop off area. There, if a deposit was paid it will be returned , and premium members will be awarded points.
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