European consumers increasingly shop online — and that means parcels delivered to your door. More than 10 billion e-commerce packages are sent across the EU each year, with most of the packaging thrown away after just a single use.
That’s where LIFE RE-ZIP — recognised as a Rising Star at the recent LIFE Awards 2025 — steps in. The 3-year, €3.4 million project, which runs through to November 2026, is introducing a new ‘circular packing concept’ as an alternative to single-use packaging. Consumers take their empty packages to a convenient pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) point located using the RE-ZIP app. The packaging can then be reused multiple times in multiple countries — reducing both the cost and carbon footprint of single-use cardboard.
Receiving the Rising Star Recognition, LIFE RE-ZIP project coordinator Daniel Nygaard commented: ‘It’s a cultural thing. People look at a cardboard package and they just see a single use product that can be thrown into the trash for recycling. Until now, the entire economy has been based on linear thinking – but now we have a circular solution. The LIFE Programme allowed us to create a return logistics infrastructure which makes it possible for these packages to rotate around Europe and to come back for refurbishment to be sold again.’
The Rising Star Recognition highlighted projects supporting the EU’s key policy priorities by making a remarkable contribution to the circular economy. By the time LIFE RE-ZIP ends in 2026, more than 120 million reusable packages will be in circulation, 17 000 tonnes of cardboard and plastic waste saved, water consumption reduced by 12 000 m3, CO₂ emissions cut by 18 000 tonnes and more than 300 jobs created. Return rates of RE-ZIP packaging are predicted to rise above 75%.
LIFE RE-ZIP aims to make the 5-step consumer journey as simple as possible: shop online, receive package, find drop point, return packaging and claim a reward! As the RE-ZIP app says, ‘We’ve made returning your packaging a no-brainer. With a dense network of Drop Points, sending your RE-ZIP packaging back for reuse is as simple as it gets. Whether it’s a post office, a mailbox, or another convenient spot, you’ll find Drop Points almost everywhere.’
‘LIFE RE-ZIP makes the circular economy really visible, tangible and direct at a time when we are all thinking about how we can improve sustainability and reduce our material footprint,’ said Patrick Child, Acting Director General at DG Environment. ‘Bringing that really close to citizens’ awareness is very very important.’
LIFE RE-ZIP supports the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, the Climate Action Strategy and the European Green Deal, as well as the Waste Framework Directive.