HIVED lays claim to first of kind online delivery reusable packaging pilot with backing from Elemental Impact

E-commerce delivery company, HIVED, has completed a reusable packaging pilot backed by Elemental Impact, a non-profit technology investor, to help address the problem of packaging waste.

Teaming up with the meal subscription service Field Doctor and Oakland International, HIVED trialled its circular packaging infrastructure and technology platform to deliver, collect, and return reusable packaging for Field Doctor through its all electric delivery network.

The pilot trialled Oakland’s reusable OakRA box that provides an alternative to traditional cardboard packaging. Field Doctor customers received their weekly meal subscription in an OakRA box delivered by HIVED. The packaging from the previous week was then collected and returned through HIVED’s streamlined and reliable technology platform and physical infrastructure.

Producers and retailers are increasingly considering reusable packaging solutions ahead of the introduction of the UK government’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) next year. The new scheme will see responsibility for packaging waste management shift from local governments to producers. HIVED anticipates growing consumer driven demand for the reuse-as-a-service model and plans on scaling the solution with other retailers.

HIVED’s Head of Impact, Gemma Neal, says: "Our mission to decarbonise e-commerce deliveries goes beyond electrification. Supporting the circular economy is a crucial development, and this trial is an exciting step toward becoming the go-to courier for circular business models.”

Oakland Strategic Innovation Manager, Luke Attwell says: “HIVED has given the opportunity for OakRA to make a full circle carbon neutral loop with collection from factory, to consumer door and back again being done via 100% electric vehicles. Our hope is this becomes a consumer driven model, where consumers and organisations drive the need for a sustainable option of delivery with suppliers.”

Co-founder and CCO at Field Doctor, Alex Brooks adds: “We believe that reusable packaging has to be a big part of the future for customer deliveries - both D2C and B2B - which will help us reduce our usage of cardboard. The customer feedback on the pilot has been excellent and we’ve seen the OakRA box performing really well to help us deliver our meals in perfect condition.”

Elemental Impact VP of Portfolio, Danya Hakeem says: “HIVED’s pilot demonstrates how an innovative company is fundamentally rethinking logistics and reducing waste through circular packaging, all while proving the value of hiring from within their community.”

2024 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Green retail was a key focus area at the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, sponsored by Vista Technology Support, Scala, CADS, 3D Cloud, Brightpearl by Sage’s Lightning 50, Business France, and Retail Technology Show 2025, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended last month’s gathering.