NEW and-less XLThe reusable tray for communal catering
Not only have our products won multiple awards, but our customers love them, too. Whether they’re cities, caterers, or delivery services, everyone benefits from and-less reusable containers.
Not only have our products won multiple awards, but our customers love them, too. Whether they’re cities, caterers, or delivery services, everyone benefits from and-less reusable containers.
Adventure Catering delivers lunch to companies in the surrounding area. This service has a downside: The meals are delivered in single-use packaging, and waste is piling up. With “and-less,” the caterer is testing a reusable system that integrates seamlessly into its workflows and can be expanded to other business areas in the future.
Adventure Catering delivers lunch to companies in the surrounding area. This service has a downside: The meals are delivered in single-use packaging, and waste is piling up. With “and-less,” the caterer is testing a reusable system that integrates seamlessly into its workflows and can be expanded to other business areas in the future.
The Vienna-based company Adventure Catering delivers lunch to many small and medium-sized businesses every day. The meals are portioned out at the company’s facilities, packed in disposable containers, and delivered in EURO transport crates. The operators have already been confronted several times with the resulting packaging waste.
It was important for the caterer to meet the needs of its customers and to be able to offer meals in reusable packaging in the future. However, this additional service should not compromise operational processes, hygiene, or the ability to transport food in EURO containers. The switch should also be worthwhile for the business in the long term: The packaging must be sealable, sturdy, and standardized so that it can be used in other areas of the business.
A test customer was selected from the customer base to receive meals three times a week in reusable rather than disposable packaging. With each subsequent delivery, the packaging from the previous order is returned. What makes this special is that returns are based on trust and are completely deposit-free. Instead, the system tracks how much packaging is lost in this process—with encouraging results: So far, 100% of the packaging distributed has been returned to Adventure Catering.
We were looking for reusable packaging that is versatile and can be seamlessly integrated into existing processes. Many of our customers want to avoid wasting valuable resources and generating unnecessary waste when delivering their meals. For us as a supplier, this also results in significant long-term savings and a consistently positive image. The sealability of the and-less containers is a unique feature on the market that helps extend the shelf life of the food.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of food orders rose by 25 percent, and as a result, so did the amount of packaging waste. The city of Graz and the bike delivery service velofood have developed and-less, a deposit-free system that makes reusable packaging simple, convenient, and accessible.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of food orders rose by 25 percent, and as a result, so did the amount of packaging waste. The city of Graz and the bike delivery service velofood have developed and-less, a deposit-free system that makes reusable packaging simple, convenient, and accessible.
Like many other cities, Graz was faced with a waste problem as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delivery services in urban areas experienced a sharp increase in demand, and tons of single-use packaging entered circulation. The rising volumes of waste placed a strain on private households and municipal collection systems. As a result, the city of Graz and the bicycle delivery service velofood partnered with and-less to offer food in reusable containers.
To implement a reusable system on this scale, it is important that it involves little or no extra effort for end consumers. Only then can reusable packaging gain widespread acceptance. The bicycle delivery service velofood played a central role in this project: on the one hand, as the place where the decision between single-use and reusable packaging is made, and on the other hand, as the service that delivers and picks up the packaging.
During a three-month trial period, 35 restaurants in Graz joined the pilot program. In the velofood app, users could opt for reusable packaging with a single click. The system does not use a deposit but instead operates on a rental system modeled after a library. The boxes are loaned out upon delivery and must be returned within 14 days; otherwise, a fee is charged. In a second phase of the project, a return service was also tested, in which used packaging was picked up from customers’ homes by bicycle couriers. This is a prime example of a system that puts user needs first and makes reusable packaging particularly simple and accessible.
We’ve been working with and-less since 2022 and really value this partnership. The reusable packaging is high-quality, and and-less provides excellent service and is very friendly in their communication. They take the time to address individual requests and work with us to develop well-thought-out solutions. You can really tell that they put their heart and a lot of thought into their work!
At the Tabakfabrik Linz creative hub, and-less developed and tested a closed-loop packaging system. This allows employees to take their lunch breaks as flexibly as usual, but without generating unnecessary packaging waste. The Sparkasse Oberösterreich startup accelerator funded the pilot project and used the packaging to draw attention to its ideas competition.
At the Tabakfabrik Linz creative hub, and-less developed and tested a closed-loop packaging system. This allows employees to take their lunch breaks as flexibly as usual, but without generating unnecessary packaging waste. The Sparkasse Oberösterreich startup accelerator funded the pilot project and used the packaging to draw attention to its ideas competition.
Over the past few decades, the Tabakfabrik Linz site has evolved into a hub for creativity and innovation. Where textiles and tobacco were once produced, a mix of hotels, companies, startups, and event spaces has now taken root. Right in the middle of it all are several restaurants that cater to the office community and guests. Many people take advantage of the opportunity to order their lunch to go, to eat it outside or at the office. The resulting packaging waste prompted the Tabakfabrik to consider alternatives.
Thanks to the local companies and startups, a regular customer base has developed for the lunch service. Even when meals are ordered to go, they are eaten within a short distance. This situation is ideal for a closed, deposit-based reusable system. The Sparkasse Oberösterreich startup incubator, located on the premises, decided to finance the pilot project.
The restaurants 'Aroy Thai' and 'Der Charmante Elefant' were brought on board to test the reusable packaging system. These two establishments are playing a pioneering role and inspiring nearby restaurants to also offer their food in reusable packaging. Sparkasse Oberösterreich sponsored the “and-less” reusable containers and used the branding space on the lids to draw the local public’s attention to its ideas competition.
Working with and-less was a very exciting experience for us. On the one hand, we gained new perspectives; on the other hand, we were also able to contribute our own experience as equals. Problems were solved holistically and creatively, and the team’s expertise was evident. We greatly appreciate the high quality of the products and the professionalism of the staff. We look forward to our next project together.
