Case Study: How Re-uz Used Pilario to Quantify and Validate its Global Reuse Strategy
- Re-uz commissioned Pilario to conduct a comparative life cycle assessment of its reusable Ecocup® system against common single-use cup alternatives.
- The objective was to quantify the environmental performance of reuse by assessing impacts across the full life cycle, including production, transport, use, washing, and end-of-life.
- The assessment evaluated key environmental indicators such as climate change, fossil fuel use, water depletion, eutrophication, and waste generation.
- Results showed that the reusable system delivers significantly lower environmental impacts than single-use cups once a break-even point of 4 to 8 uses is reached.
- At higher reuse rates, the environmental benefits increase substantially, with up to 77% lower CO₂ emissions compared to single-use PET cups.
- Re-uz integrated the LCA results into ongoing operations, using Pilario to support eco-design, continuous improvement, and transparent impact reporting to clients.
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Re-uz is a European pioneer in sustainable packaging and logistics and operates at the forefront of the global movement toward a circular economy. The company was founded on the principle of reducing waste by replacing single-use containers with durable, reusable alternatives, primarily for beverages and food.
In 2019, Re-uz commissioned Pilario to carry out a comprehensive comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of their flagship Ecocup® reusable cups against alternative single-use cup solutions (Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and single use cardboard).
The goal of the study was to validate the overall environmental relevance of the reusable solution by considering all elements of its life cycle.
The transition from disposable to durable is not inherently sustainable; the environmental impact must be rigorously proven, particularly when considering the energy, water, and transport required for washing and logistics.
Phase 1: The Comparative Life Cycle Assessment
The LCA methodology establishes a quantitative balance of all incoming and outgoing environmental flows at each stage of a product's life. The standardised method ensured the quantifiable effects of the product were measured across the entire lifecycle, including:
1. Raw Materials & Energy Extraction
2. Manufacturing
3. Transport (Distribution)
4. Usage (Including collection, professional washing, and management)
5. Sorting & End-of-Life
The process establishes a mass and energy balance for the system being evaluated, tracking Incoming Flows (Water, Energy, Raw materials) versus Outgoing Flows (Water, Air, Soil, Waste).
Furthermore, the analysis focused on five key performance indicators. These indicators encompassed the four main environmental impacts monitored by the European Commission, plus the metric of waste generation:
- Impact on Climate Change
- Use of Fossil Fuels
- Depletion of Water Resources
- Eutrophication of Marine Waters
- Amount of Waste Generated
Phase 2: Results and Validation of the Reuse Dynamic
The study’s results provided clear quantitative evidence that the reuse model supported by Re-uz significantly minimises environmental impact compared to the most widely used single-use alternatives. The findings confirmed that the solutions proposed by Ecocup® are indeed an eco-responsible alternative to single-use plastics.
The analysis highlights a break-even point between 4 and 8 uses. For example, after 25 cycles, the reusable system generates 77% less CO₂ emissions than a single-use PET cup and 63% less than a single-use PP cup.
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The LCA also confirmed the direct relationship between utilisation and environmental benefit: the more an Ecocup® is used, the lower its ecological impact becomes. Container rental systems, enabled by the professional washing and logistics infrastructure orchestrated by Re-uz, allow each container to be reused several hundred times. This high number of use cycles is what truly allows the "reuse circle" to become the best environmental choice.
Phase 3: Strategic Integration and Continuous Improvement
Following the baseline study, Re-uz integrated the LCA findings into a continuous improvement strategy, demonstrating their commitment to improving environmental performance at every step.
Since 2020, Re-uz has leveraged the Pilario tool to dynamically measure the specific impact of switching to reusable materials for any given event. This enables the Re-uz teams to provide instant, precise environmental impact data to their clients, fostering transparency and promoting accountability.
The quantifiable data from the LCA is now the cornerstone of a dedicated eco-design program. Re-uz is committed to continuously improving the environmental performance of every product they make by working closely with Pilario to identify new potentials for energy, water, and material efficiency.
Ready to achieve the same quantifiable success as Re-uz? Partner with Pilario to conduct a Life Cycle Assessment and provide irrefutable, data-driven proof of your sustainability commitments. We use our expertise to meet you wherever you are on your sustainability journey and elevate your LCA knowledge until you gain a comprehensive view of your impacts.
Let us guide you on your path to sustainability.
