One of Germany's largest retail chains, REWE, is trialling packaging waste-reducing solutions from the Czech company Miwa. The Miwa modules make it possible to buy food items such as pasta, rice, or cereals in reusable and returnable containers, thus preventing unnecessary waste of packaging and food. In the test phase, REWE will trial the technology in eleven of its shops in various German cities, for example Cologne and Bonn. The installation of the modules was completed in mid-November. Miwa also collaborates with the largest Dutch chain, Albert Heijn, and the Portuguese chain, Continente, as well as with the Aldi chain in Great Britain.
"For us, this is the largest pilot project in the retail segment so far. Other chains initially test our technology in only one to three shops, here it will be eleven shops. Germany is an interesting market for us, which is very receptive to ecological solutions, and reusable packaging is supported by a large part of the public there, as well as by the new legislation." says Mirek Lizec, Miwa executive director.
"The management of the chain was very interested in the hygienic and digital standards of our solution, in the safety and efficiency of sales. They also appreciated that our modules are user-friendly and easy for customers to understand. We are happy that we manage to establish cooperation with such important players even though the European retail market now has to recover from a series of problems such as inflation, the war in Ukraine, the repercussions of covid and the like." adds Mirek Lizec.
REWE primarily sells goods in bio quality in the waste-reducing modules. In contrast to classic zero waste solutions, there will be no direct handling of open food in shops, for example during pouring. The product is delivered in closed capsules, which are always simply inserted into the module. This is exactly the kind of solution REWE prefers because it guarantees perfect hygiene and maximum shelf-life of food.
In the REWE stores, the latest second-generation Miwa modules are being tested. These modules feature a newly integrated two-line display with scales, allowing customers to monitor the quantity of goods they have dispensed and their corresponding prices in real time. The entire system has been upgraded with new electronics and software. The second-generation modules make it possible to sell larger products that would not have fit through the capsule opening previously. Integrated vibrations assist in dispensing foods that are prone to getting stuck during the pouring process.
Miwa's solution for retail chains is based primarily on reusable standardized capsules - circulating between manufacturers, shops, and the service centre – and the maximum use of smart data. One such capsule saves almost 2,000 pieces of disposable packaging during its life cycle.
And how exactly do the Miwa modules work for end customers? They take a reusable returnable container directly on the spot. Alternatively, they bring their own container, in which case they must first weigh it on the module so that they only pay for the weight of the selected product. The customers then select the desired product on the integrated display and gently push the container onto the feeder. The container starts to fill, and the display shows the current weight and price of the product in the container. Finally, the module prints a price tag that the customers stick to the container. They then go to the checkout with it. Containers can then be returned via machines in REWE shops and other partners.
More about the operation of the Miwa system in video HERE.