Innovation

The core innovation of BOXO is a shared, reusable packaging system built around a deposit model. Instead of single-use cardboard boxes that are thrown away after delivery, BOXO’s packaging can be reused many times. Customers pay a small deposit when receiving their order and return the empty packaging to one of many collection points. After cleaning and quality checks, the packaging re-enters the circulation system.

A key part of BOXO’s innovation is that the system is open to other packaging producers, not limited to BOXO’s own products. This shared infrastructure model allows multiple companies to use the same network, making reuse easier and more scalable. It avoids the problem of every brand creating its own isolated system, which would be inefficient for customers, webshops, and logistics partners.

BOXO also works closely with parcel couriers like DHL and DPD. Through these partnerships, the company aims to integrate convenient doorstep returns in the future, removing extra steps for the customer.

Overall, the BOXO Reusable Packaging System offers a practical, scalable solution that can be adopted without heavy investments or new infrastructure.

Inspiration

The idea for BOXO started with everyday frustration. Co-founder Okke, together with the founding team noticed the amount of waste created by online shopping — especially cardboard boxes piling up at home. He kept a small list of daily annoyances and realized that many related directly to packaging waste. This pushed him to research the environmental impact of single-use e-commerce packaging.

During this research, he discovered the high cost and inefficiency of single-use boxes, as well as the large amount of water and energy needed to recycle them. He then connected this issue to something common in the Netherlands: the bottle deposit system. The idea of creating a similar return-based system for packaging became the foundation of BOXO.

Okke, and the other co-founders, were motivated not by financial goals but by a mission to create something meaningful and positive for the environment. As he explained in the interview, the real drive was “building something good for the world.” Early on, the founding team involved logistics companies, webshops, packaging, producers, and consumers to gather feedback, making the system collaborative from the very beginning.

Overall impact

The impact of BOXO’s system is visible in several areas: environmental, business, and social.

Environmental impact:

• BOXO replaces single-use packaging with a system that keeps materials in circulation.
• Dozens of shipments per day already use reusable packaging instead of cardboard or plastic.
• Every reuse cycle reduces waste, lowers CO₂ emissions, saves trees, and decreases water consumption, since cardboard recycling requires large amounts of water.

Business impact:

• BOXO has grown from a small founding team to approximately 5–9 people.
• The return network now covers about 40% of the country, and continues expanding.
• The company has been able to scale through cooperation rather than competition, creating shared value for multiple stakeholders.

Long-term impact:

• If adopted widely, BOXO’s system could significantly reduce the environmental footprint of e-commerce. 
• The approach could also support circular systems in other countries, especially within the EU, where deposit and recycling systems already exist.

Business benefit

BOXO’s open and collaborative model gives the company several strategic advantages.

First, by allowing other packaging brands to use the same infrastructure, BOXO avoids building a closed or competing ecosystem. This increases adoption and creates more volume, which strengthens the return network. For webshops, the model offers potential cost savings over time because reusable packaging does not need to be purchased repeatedly.

Second, cooperation with logistics partners such as DHL and DPD creates opportunities for smoother returns and wider access. The ability to integrate doorstep pickup in the future could improve convenience for customers and increase the return rate even further.

Third, the company benefits from being early in a growing market. As consumers and companies become more aware of sustainability, demand for reusable packaging is expected to increase. This gives BOXO the opportunity to position itself as a leading provider of circular e-commerce solutions.

Finally, BOXO’s transparency builds trust. The company openly shares how the system works and encourages other producers and partners to join. This openness reduces barriers to collaboration and supports long-term partnerships.

Watch video on Vimeo

Social and environmental benefit

The environmental benefits of BOXO’s system are clear: less waste, fewer trees cut for cardboard, lower CO₂ emissions, and reduced water usage. Each cycle of reuse prevents a single-use box from entering the waste stream.

BOXO also contributes socially by working with social enterprises to produce certain types of packaging. This supports inclusive employment and creates meaningful work for people with limited job opportunities.

Additionally, the system encourages new habits among consumers. Returning packaging becomes part of everyday behavior, similar to returning drink crates or bottles. This mindset shift supports global sustainability goals and builds awareness about responsible consumption.

By reducing the overall environmental impact of online shopping, BOXO contributes directly to cleaner cities, less landfill waste, and a more circular e-commerce economy.

Interview

Okke de Jonge, Co-founder

Watch video on Vimeo