VIU Eyewear is testing the sustainable reusable shipping boxes from hey circle in four pilot stores. The goal: to drastically reduce waste and CO2 emissions compared to single-use packaging.

VIU offers handmade designer spectacles and sunglasses in its 49 stores in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, besides providing consultancy on eyewear. In order to provide the stores with the right products on a regular basis, VIU is testing the sustainable reusable shipping boxes by hey circle in four pilot stores. The boxes S, M and L are in use. Eyewear cases are transported safely and environmentally friendly between the head office and the stores. This means that only a fraction of the waste and CO2 emissions are generated compared to single-use packaging. 

Strong approval for sustainable concept

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"We had also briefly considered reusable shipping bags from other suppliers, but what convinced us about hey circle was that it is a supplier from Germany with a broad portfolio of robust, foldable boxes - so that no air is shipped," explained Laura Schweizer, who is responsible for VIU's sustainability management. "When we told colleagues about the project, everybody was super excited about it."

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"Our sustainability projects also involve the CEO and COO because the topic is seen as important at VIU. Through lighthouse projects like these that are hands-on, we create a strong awareness in all departments about how sustainable decisions can be made. Sometimes a sustainability goal is quite vague, however, in the case of reusable shipping with hey circle, it's literally very hands-on."

The waste pile from disposable packaging sparked the initiative

"Our strategic leitmotif since 2022 has been 'Responsible in every point of view and beyond.' So it was only natural that we quickly came across shipping, packaging and transportation as areas for action. For now, we're replacing the many cardboard boxes on the store side and in the warehouses with reusable transport packaging."

If the eight-week test goes as planned, the intralogistics with all stores will be converted accordingly.