When a reusable project is built step by step: insights from the collaboration between Loopipak and NMBS
Switching from disposable packaging to a reusable solution is never simply a matter of replacing one container with another. In reality, a reuse initiative involves organizational changes, work habits, return processes, team buy-in, and the ability to test the system without disrupting existing operations.
The partnership between Loopipak and NMBS is a prime example of this. From the resumption of contact in autumn 2025 through to the preparation of a pilot in spring 2026, the project has been built up gradually, methodically, through active listening and successive adjustments. More than just a simple product development, this approach shows how a reusable solution takes shape in the field, within a real operational environment, with its constraints, validation stages and need for adaptation.
A concrete need, to be structured progressively
Loopipak and NMBS resumed contact in late October 2025 to discuss an issue that is increasingly on the minds of industrial and technical organizations: how to replace certain types of disposable packaging in recurring logistics flows without disrupting operations?
It didn’t take long for their interest to be confirmed. An initial video conference revealed that the project wasn’t simply about choosing a reusable pouch or bag, but rather about understanding the product’s intended use, the constraints involved, and the work environment. This first step naturally led to the need for a more in-depth meeting at the central workshop in Salzinnes.
From this point on, an important point emerges: to be effective, Loopipak must be positioned as an operational advisor capable of helping to structure the project, rather than simply as a packaging supplier. This distinction changes everything. Because in a reuse project, the question isn’t just “which product to choose?”, but also “how to integrate it into a real-world workflow, with teams, feedback, budget constraints, and existing habits?”
A partnership built on the ground
The site visit to Salzinnes in December 2025 marked a decisive milestone. It was at this point that requirements were clarified regarding three types of reusable bags, with the idea of conducting a three-month trial. The project then began to take shape.
As is often the case with this type of initiative, this visit helps bridge the gap between initial plans and a concrete working framework. On-site discussions help clarify usage patterns, handling constraints, and expectations regarding durability, as well as very practical issues related to the return of the bags, their collection, and their reintegration into the system.
Following this visit, Loopipak provided a quote covering three prototypes and development. The approach taken was clear and straightforward: detailing the technical specifications, explaining the prototype’s logic, outlining the recoverable development costs, and presenting the next steps. Once again, the project moved forward without rushing, but without any ambiguity either.
Between January and February 2026, work will continue on developing prototypes. This phase is by no means trivial. It allows us to tailor the solution to the realities we observe, rather than imposing a standard format. It is also a way to ensure the success of the next steps: before discussing deployment, we must first verify that the solution effectively meets the intended use cases.
Involving teams from the very first stages
The reusable bags are presented to the maintenance parts order fulfillment team. Team members handle them, express their reservations about the change, ask questions, and raise potential issues.
This stage is essential in a reuse project. User feedback makes it possible to identify very early on what may facilitate or hinder adoption: ease of opening, legibility, robustness, storage, return of the bags, or even integration into working habits.
For Loopipak, these comments are not obstacles, but essential elements for improving the solution. Every question, every reservation and every difficulty raised becomes an opportunity for adjustment. It is precisely this collective process that enables an idea to be transformed into a system that teams can actually use.
The objective remains clear: to gradually reduce single-use items, whilst building a realistic solution that is understood and embraced by the people who will use it on a daily basis.
Beyond the bag: a comprehensive approach
Above all, this project demonstrates that the value Loopipak provides goes beyond the product itself.
In February 2026, an implementation plan was submitted to structure the process, ensure the return of the bags, and integrate reuse into existing workflows. This type of document plays a central role in the success of a pilot program. It helps turn a good idea into a testable system. Who uses the bags? How are they collected? Who sorts them? Where are they stored? How can we prevent losses? What role do warehouse staff play? How can we get the relevant teams on board?
At the same time, a cost-benefit analysis is shared. Its value is twofold. On the one hand, it provides an objective assessment of the project that goes beyond environmental intuition. On the other hand, it highlights a key lesson: in a reusable system, the key variable is not just the cost of the bag, but its turnover. The faster, clearer, and more structured the return process is, the more economically viable the investment becomes.
As the discussion progressed, several key factors for success were raised: the budget, consumption, profitability, returns logistics, internal communication, the involvement of warehouse staff and maintenance teams, and collection and sorting. These are precisely the right questions to ask. They are not obstacles to the project, but rather the standard requirements of a well-prepared project.
This phase also highlights another key aspect of Loopipak’s approach: taking the client’s concerns seriously and translating them into concrete adjustments. For example, the team proposes adapting the L prototype and enhancing the labeling to encourage adoption in the field. In other words, success depends not only on the bag’s durability, but also on its visibility in the work environment and its ease of use in daily operations.
Measure, adjust, prepare the pilot
In March 2026, the sample bags were sent out, and a comparative LCA of the two formats was shared. This analysis revealed a significant improvement in CO2 emissions and overall environmental impact. Without overstating the results, this step provides an important element: it gives the project a baseline for measurement, which is useful for objectively assessing the solution’s merits in the decision-making process.
But here again, the project is not presented as a ‘done deal’. It continues to progress through the standard internal and budgetary approval process. There is interest in the solution, but it is part of the usual rhythm of a structured organisation. This is part of the reality of this type of collaboration.
In April 2026, a follow-up provided an opportunity to review the progress of the PoC. Then, in mid-April, the project lead confirmed that the Salzinnes project had been approved and that the order was expected to follow shortly. This marked an important milestone: the pilot project entered its operational preparation phase.
Loopipak then contacts Hervé Vanderhoeven to work out the practical details: scheduling, on-site logistics, coordination with furniture suppliers, and any necessary adjustments. This transition demonstrates a serious approach. Once approval is obtained, the work doesn’t stop with the purchase order. The actual test conditions still need to be prepared.
With this in mind, a small format could be slightly raised to make it easier to open. This seemingly minor detail speaks volumes about the approach we’ve taken: continuous improvement is built on actual use. It is often these practical adjustments that distinguish a pilot program that is merely launched from one that is truly embraced by the teams.
What is the current status of the project?
As of June 2026, production of the bags for the pilot is underway. The project is now moving from the preparation phase into operational deployment within a defined pilot scope.
This is a particularly exciting stage, as it reflects what a successful transition looks like in practice: progressing through a pilot, within a clearly defined scope, supported by a prepared organisation, adapted packaging formats, and a structured evaluation framework.
The field phase is not simply about putting reusable bags into circulation. It is about learning, observing, refining processes, and validating what works in real-world conditions.
This stage also marks the project's measurement phase, during which its operational performance, economic viability, and environmental benefits will be assessed in a concrete and measurable way.
How this collaboration might inspire other organizations
First and foremost, this project demonstrates that a serious approach to reuse is built over time. Sometimes it requires follow-up, rephrasing, documentation, reassurance, and adaptation. Perseverance is key, but it must remain strategic and respectful of the client’s pace.
It also shows that a reusable project is never based solely on packaging. Success depends just as much on integration into workflows as it does on the product itself. Bag returns, on-site organization, signage, the role of operational teams, and the clarity of the process are just as critical as the technical design.
Finally, this collaboration demonstrates the value of a pilot approach. Testing the initiative with one or two teams, within a specific framework, allows us to learn without overexposing the project. This is often the best way to turn an idea into a credible initiative, and then roll it out more widely if the conditions are right.
Conclusion
The partnership between Loopipak and NMBS isn't just about a completed rollout. It's about something even more meaningful: how a reuse initiative is being seriously planned.
Through discussions, site visits, prototypes, analyses, and adjustments, the project gradually took shape around a simple conviction: for a reusable solution to work, it must be designed in collaboration with those on the ground, not in isolation from them.
For organizations looking to reduce single-use packaging in a practical way, this approach provides a concrete roadmap. Start with a pilot project, take the time to understand the workflow, test, measure, adjust, and provide support: this is often how the most robust projects take shape.
From Concept to Pilot: How NMBS and Loopipak Structured a Project