The packaging industry is rapidly embracing a sustainable logic grounded in the circular economy. Reutilbox emerges in March 2023 to contribute to this journey by developing a tracking and deposit system that enables reusable packaging to gradually replace single-use ones.

"For this circular system to work, we have established strong partnerships with restaurants, commercial surfaces, cafeterias, companies, and events. The establishment's customer chooses to take their meal in a reusable container, at no extra cost, saving money compared to disposable options (0.30€ or more per package) and, more importantly, without generating any waste. The container must be returned within seven days at any partner establishment," explains Ricardo Valadas, CEO and founder, working alongside Filipe Moraes, CTO.

The business model is B2B (business to business), primarily targeting restaurants, commercial surfaces, cafeterias, companies, and events. However, "we also strongly focus on raising awareness among the end consumer because creating a convenient reuse model is the key to expanding Reutilbox to more establishments and regions," says the responsible party.

Currently, the company's system is operational in the Lisbon area, with plans for expansion to other regions of the country by March this year.

In January 2025, Reutilbox hopes to claim that it has helped reduce the 170kg of disposable packaging that each Portuguese person produces on average annually. Additionally, it aims to state that it has grown as a team and expanded its network of partners and customers.

"Reuse has become a habit, largely thanks to our system," concludes Ricardo Valadas.