From single-use to reuse: How eco-design is shaping the future of food packaging

INTRODUCTIONNo, reusables are not just single-use items with a QR code slapped on to encourage reuse! True reusability starts with intentional design right from the beginning.That’s exactly why it’s so valuable to learn from Annie Legroulx, Director of Innovation at Cambium, based in Montréal. With her expertise in designing and distributing eco-friendly takeout solutions, she has firsthand experience navigating the challenges of transitioning from single-use to reuse systems.In this episode, we’ll explore:Why eco-design must balance standardization with adaptability for different food applications.How a local supplier can play a key role in overcoming challenges such as condensation, traceability, and procurement hurdles.And what a well-thought-out end-of-life approach should involve, whether your packaging is recyclable or compostable.I admire Annie’s dedication to collaborating with diverse stakeholders to address real-world needs. Her pragmatic and grounded view of reuse—as part of a necessary transition that still leaves room for certain single-use applications—feels refreshingly practical and actionable.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEThe initial burning question came from Evelio in episode 29 “The impact of eye-catching packaging design as well as hidden structural design”: https://www.look4loops.com/packaging-podcast/ep29-user-experience-structural-design-luxury-tertiary  Check out the result of Annie’s Apple Packaging Reuse project “White Box Lab” on this instagram account she had created for it: https://www.instagram.com/whiteboxlab/  Annie loved the series with Mme & M Recyclage: feel free to listen to them as well in episodes 28, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 and 43.One of Cambium's main partners is an organization dedicated to the eco-responsible transition of cafes and restaurants and is called “La vague”: https://www.la-vague.ca/. Some other partners mentioned:Retournzy: https://retournzy.ca/ Ecocup: https://www.ecocup-quebec.ca/fc/service/shipping-returns/ Bopaq: https://bopaq.com/ Cupko: https://cupko.ca/ Cano: https://www.canocompany.com/ We also mentioned episode 12: “When cups initiate a reusable ecosystem to take the waste out of takeout” with Cody Irwin of ShareWares: https://www.look4loops.com/packaging-podcast/ep12-reusable-cup-takeout You are also encouraged to check the numerous webinars and content on Sustainable Packaging Coalition (https://sustainablepackaging.org/) of GreenBlue and on Ellen MacArthur Foundation with their initiative “Scaling Returnable Packaging” (https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/scaling-returnable-packaging/overview).WHERE TO FIND ANNIE AND CAMBIUM?The Cambium Distribution website with a focus on their reusable page: https://cambiumdistribution.com/cambium-reutilisable/ in French and https://cambiumdistribution.com/en/cambium-reutilisable/ in EnglishPress release about this reuse project: https://www.packaging-gateway.com/news/cambium-la-vague-reusable-containers/?cf-view LinkedIn of Annie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-legroulx/  Annie Legroulx website for her “Sustainable Packaging and Circular Design Consultancy”: https://www.dringdring.ca/ ABOUT ANNIE LEGROULX FROM CAMBIUM DISTRIBUTION Annie is a product designer specialized in eco-design and circular economy. She holds a Bachelor’s in Environnemental Design from the University of Quebec in Montreal. Entrepreneur, lecturer at the University of Montreal for over 10 years and sustainability consultant, Annie’s expertise in sustainable packaging design and waste management have lead her to advise businesses, organisations and cities on a wide range of waste reduction initiatives over the years.Currently, she is Director of Innovation, Sustainability Consultant and co-owner at Cambium Distribution, a Montreal-based company specialized in the design and distribution of sustainable packaging solutions.  Her latest project at Cambium has been developing a range of reusable containers specifically designed to scale reusable packaging in the foodservice industry.PODCAST MUSICSpecial thanks to Joachim Regout who made the jingle. Have a look at his work here. I am happy to bring a sample of our strong bonds on these sound waves. Since I was a child, he made me discover a wide range of music of all kinds. I am also delighted he is a nature lover and shares the Look4Loops 'out of the box philosophy'. He is an inspiring source of creativity for me.