What is ZeroTrace?
A system designed to recirculate packaging, using it again and again to prevent packaging waste.
The reuse challenge is a system challenge. We're leading the way in the circular economy and have developed innovative new ways to recover, track, clean, label and refill packaging so that it doesn't go in the bin.
We began life as our sister brand weekly.shop, delivering a wide range of groceries locally in reusables. We've made thousands of deliveries and prevented over 20,000 items of packaging waste from entering the waste stream.
Find out more about the challenges solved by ZeroTrace below.
Packaging Recovery
Often referred to as "backhauling", this is one of the hardest things to solve in the circular economy.
If we don't recover packaging, we can't reuse it. And two way infrastructure doesn't really exist yet.
Our flat and light reusable plastic bags allow us to recover empties through the post by providing you with a freepost return envelope.
We also deliver locally using our own vehicles and bikes, collecting empties when we drop off.
Tracking packaging
Once our bags are in circulation, we track them to make sure we know where they are at any given moment.
Tracking each item also means we know the history of each bag - what's been in it, how many times it's been used, even how far it's travelled, so we can do life cycle analysis to be sure our system is environmentally better than disposables.
We laser mark bags individually with their own QR codes. This laser tracking code never comes off and, not being a stuck on label, is great for end of life recyclability.
Cleaning packaging
We recover and clean absolutely everything - product bags, clips, ties (and soon the reusable delivery and return outers).
They through our cutting edge reuse system ZeroTrace, in our CleanFill Hub in Battersea, London.
Our first-of-it's kind circular system was developed with funding from Innovate UK.
We recently had our food safety inspection from the Environmental Health Agency, scoring the maximum Hygiene Rating of 5.
Labelling products
Labels are very important for both food and non-food products - and in reuse you need to be able to put them on... and also to take them off.
Usually they are made of plastic, paper and glue, which is not very zero waste!
Thats why we developed MagicLabels. They use no paper, glue or plastic and are both durable in use and easy to remove.
It's part of how we do zero waste... for real.
Press play to see them in action on a reusable shampoo bottle.
Refilling packaging
The last step in our system before products are sent out to you.
We buy in bulk and then fill bags ourselves.
Like with our MagicLabels, we've developed dosing systems for both dry and liquid products that make us fast and efficient, so we can keep prices very competetive for you.
We work hard with our suppliers to be as circular with the way we take deliveries as possible - some even take the bulk packs back to wash and reuse!