Changing without measuring is making the same mistake twice!
Companies advancing in their environmental transition now begin by measuring before acting.
When they conduct their carbon footprint assessment, many discover that packaging represents a significant share of their emissions — but also a quick and tangible lever for improvement.
So, before replacing single-use with reusable packaging, they often ask us:
“Can you share your life cycle analyses with us?”
At Loopipak, this question has become the starting point for many meaningful discussions.
And that’s excellent news: it shows that companies no longer want to make assumptions — they want to understand precisely the environmental, logistical, and economic impact of their choices.
1. Life cycle assessment: an essential tool for informed decision-making
A life cycle assessment (LCA) is a scientific and standardized method (ISO 14040–44) used to measure the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life — from manufacturing to end of life, including its use phase.
An LCA can focus on:
- manufacturing (impact of material production),
- the use phase (transport, cleaning, repairs),
- or end of life (recycling, energy recovery, incineration, etc.).
At Loopipak, we carry out comparative LCAs: we compare a reusable Loopipak packaging solution with the single-use packaging it replaces, based on a real and client-specific scenario.
This allows each company to see the concrete environmental gain achieved and to integrate these results into its CSRD report.
An LCA relies on linear calculations (additions and multiplications) based on official coefficients: for each material, transport, or energy consumed, the European Commission databases provide the associated emissions. We then translate these results into CO₂ equivalents and other environmental indicators.
2. Why companies ask for our LCAs
Our clients and prospects today want to:
- verify the consistency of their climate strategy,
- integrate reliable data into their carbon footprint reports,
- and above all, ensure they are making the right decision.
We take time to explain each hypothesis because no LCA is universal.
Two companies can obtain different results with the same packaging, depending on:
- transport distances,
- frequency of reuse,
- or internal logistics.
That’s why we tailor every LCA to the real process of each client — so it reflects their reality, not a theoretical average.
3. What we include (and don’t include)
Our analyses are based on official European Commission databases, regularly updated.
They include precise emission factors by material, use, and mode of transport — ensuring comparability and reliability.
We include:
- outbound and return transport of packaging,
- the manufacturing, cleaning, repair and end of life
- and the centralization cycle (collection, reconditioning).
However, we do not include the impact of raw material production when it comes from reused waste materials (for example, advertising banners).
This impact falls within scope 3 of the original producer — the advertiser, printer, or brand — not Loopipak.
By reclaiming this waste, we prevent it from being incinerated or landfilled, giving it a zero environmental burden for the production of this raw material, within the Loopipak framework.
Conversely, when single-use packaging is made from recycled cardboard, we account for the actual percentage of virgin material used.
Each scenario is designed to be as fair and transparent as possible.
4. The most common questions from our clients
🔹 What happens to a Loopipak packaging item at the end of its life?
We always start by extending its lifespan through maintenance, repair, and reuse.
Then, we systematically take back packaging at end of life to ensure proper dismantling and recycling through the right recovery channels.
No Loopipak packaging ends up in landfill.
🔹 What about your CSR policy?
Our business model is inherently virtuous:
- a small team focused on development, design, and strategy,
- production handled by Belgian sheltered workshops,
- materials sourced from advertising waste,
- with strict consistency criteria to ensure a lasting positive impact.
Our social and environmental approach is integrated at the very heart of our business model,
🔹 Are return trips included?
Yes. Our packaging folds flat for return transport, taking up minimal space, and the return impact is fully integrated into the LCA.
Its footprint remains very low compared to the cumulative gains over dozens of uses.
🔹 And what about cardboard boxes that are reused once or twice?
We include that in our calculations.
If a company already reuses its cardboard boxes, we account for that to make the LCA reflect the real situation.
We work under confidentiality agreements with most of our clients. We therefore cannot name them, but we gladly share the types of processes and logistics flows used to illustrate our analyses..
5. What Loopipak LCAs reveal
After about 100 to 150 uses, the impact of manufacturing a reusable packaging becomes almost negligible (≈1%).
Transport and logistics then become the main emission sources — precisely the ones we help our clients optimize.
Our LCAs evaluate several indicators, including:
- CO₂ emissions (climate impact),
- but also NOx, SOx, hydrocarbons, micro-particles, and other pollutants.
All our comparisons are made at equivalent dimensions: we compare packaging of the same size and material mass to obtain perfectly comparable results.
These indicators are then aggregated using a geometric mean to obtain a global environmental impact index — visual and easy to understand.
This approach is more representative, as it considers all environmental dimensions, not just carbon.
To visualize the results, we often represent impacts as two rectangles showing the difference in overall impact between single-use and reusable packaging — a simple and visual way to grasp the scale of environmental benefits.
The data from our LCAs are fully compatible with your tracking tools and carbon accounting systems — they can be directly integrated into your internal reports.
6. From measurement to action: supporting change
LCA is not just about measuring — it’s about improving.
Our analyses often highlight opportunities for logistical optimization:
- pooling returns,
- simplifying flows,
- involving carriers in taking back folded packaging, etc.
In some optimized flows, the return trip happens within an already planned route — meaning the environmental impact of the return is virtually zero.
We also support our clients in the practical implementation phase:
- appointing an internal coordinator,
- training logistics teams,
- communicating clearly about new practices,
- and ensuring on-the-ground adoption, which is critical to any reuse project’s success.
We provide an internal communication kit and personalized support to ensure implementation is simple, lasting, and impactful.
Three profiles play a key role in successful reuse adoption:
- the logistics manager, who ensures process consistency,
- the CFO, who monitors financial benefits,
- and the marketing or sales manager, who communicates this transition to clients and partners.
7. European regulation (PPWR) will make this approach essential
The European packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR) will come into force on 12 August 2026.
Its goal is to set minimum recyclability and reusability rates for all packaging placed on the European market.
Key milestones:
- 2030 → all secondary logistics packaging must be reusable and reused at 100%, with mandatory reporting.
- 2035–2040 → progressive extension to other packaging categories.
This requirement is detailed in article 29.3 of the PPWR, which specifies the criteria packaging must meet to be authorized on the market.
Each company will need to prove and document its reuse rates.
CSR, logistics, CFO, and marketing teams will all play a central role in this transition.
Loopipak LCAs, based on official data and aligned with European standards, help companies anticipate these requirements and stay ahead of compliance.
8. In conclusion: measure, understand, act
Change is not just about replacing — it’s about measuring, understanding, and making conscious decisions.
Life cycle assessment allows companies to validate their assumptions, secure their choices, and make their carbon footprint reports more accurate.
At Loopipak, we believe you must measure to decide better, and decide to reduce better.
It’s this rigor, combined with our circular and social business model, that makes the difference between a good choice and a right choice.
♻️ Loopipak — the real solution begins with reducing, measuring, and reusing.
Measure before you act: why companies conduct life cycle assessments before making a change