Winner Packathon 2021: 'TerugBezorgd'

'TerugBezorgd' is the idea of Tessa Emmen (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences), Karlijn Lemmens (HAS University of Applied Sciences Den Bosch), Ngoc Minh Khanh Vo (The Hague University of Applied Sciences) and Gercö Sütö (Utrecht University). Following the example of Thuisbezorgd.nl, they came up with a reusable plastic container for soup and other dishes, which the home deliverer can take back with him the next time he orders a meal. The container is cleaned at ThuisBezorgd Clean and goes back to the restaurant that prepared the meal. It can be reused at least twenty times.

Ideas

Chip trays, coffee cups and cups for smoothies, cardboard portion packs, foldable salad bowls, reusable bottles and refill systems - a motley collection of packaging ideas was presented to the jury, led by Helene van Zutphen, director of Nederland Schoon. They were judged on originality and creativity, but also on sustainability and commercial feasibility. Eventually, four concepts were selected, after which all Packathon participants could vote online and TerugBezorgd emerged as the winner. Van Zutphen particularly praised the possibility of upscaling this concept, thanks to the link with Thuisbezorgd.nl.

The theme of the 2021 edition of the Packathon was 'Who SUP's with me?' Early July, the first measures from the Single Use Plastics Directive take effect. Some of them will affect a number of packaging types. For example, the quantity of disposable cups and containers for food must be demonstrably reduced by 2026. The EU Member States must also ensure more reuse and better recycling of these products. This makes the SUP a hot topic in the world of packaging, as evidenced by the number of companies that signed up to attend the Packathon Pitches. But also, for example, State Secretary Stientje van Veldhoven of Infrastructure and Water Management said in her opening speech that she was 'very curious about the efforts, creativity and smart solutions of the students'.

Inspiration sessions

During the design competition, the Packathon participants were guided by a large group of experts. In eight inspiration sessions, they learned about topics such as rethink strategies, litter control, consumer behaviour, alternative raw materials, reusable packaging and deposit systems. The question that traditionally remains at the end of such a competition is of course whether the students' ideas can be taken further. A number of jury members promised the winners that they would make every effort to do so.

The Packathon 2021 was made possible by Bunzl and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.