British lifestyle brand TOAST is guided by timeless design, creating long-lasting pieces from quality materials with a richness of texture. The brand values the time and the people behind each of its garments and continuously explores resourceful ways to keep garments in use for longer. Throughout 2024, TOAST gave 4,751 garments a second life - one repaired, exchanged, renewed and reworn item at a time.
Now, the TOAST approach to circularity is extending beyond the lifecycle of garments and into the realms of packaging. By partnering with innovative start-up Kvatt, TOAST is participating in a reusable packaging pilot programme, reducing single-use packaging waste across ecommerce.
Founded by Swiss entrepreneur Gianfranco Bachtold, Kvatt is on a mission to reinvent the parcel shipping industry by offering durable, reusable packaging that’s traceable, returnable, and designed to last. The collaboration with TOAST marks a significant milestone for Kvatt as it expands its impact across the UK with forward-thinking retail partners.
The pilot enables customers to opt into Kvatt’s reusable packaging for a £3.99 fee, covering the full lifecycle of the solution - from reverse logistics and professional cleaning to data tracking and carbon reporting. Each Kvatt mailing bag is designed to be reused up to 10 times, helping to cut down on the cardboard, bubble wrap, and plastic that all too often ends up in landfills after a single use.
“At 4:59pm on the day of our soft launch, our first customer chose reusable packaging. Just hours later, four more followed. This is exactly the kind of response that shows how ready people are for change,” says Rosie McKissock, TOAST Brand Director.
Gianfranco Bachtold’s inspiration for Kvatt came after moving to New York and experiencing the overwhelming volume of packaging waste generated by online shopping. “I ordered a dartboard and it arrived in a mountain of bubble wrap,” Gianfranco recalls. “By Christmas, my entire living room was buried under cardboard and foam. That’s when I realised: this is broken. So I started Kvatt to help fix it.” The pilot with TOAST is part of Kvatt’s broader initiative involving Universal Works and Sirplus - all brands committed to testing and scaling sustainable solutions in real-world retail environments.
How It Works:
● Customers select returnable packaging at checkout on qualifying orders.
● Orders are shipped in Kvatt’s reusable mailing bags.
● Once received, bags can be folded and returned via prepaid label to Kvatt’s facility.
● Bags are cleaned, quality-checked, and reused up to 10 times before being upcycled into road cones at end-of-life.
As a brand rooted in considered design, TOAST believes packaging should be no exception. This is the brand’s way of rethinking the everyday and building something better. Kvatt’s proprietary software monitors each bag’s journey, collecting detailed data to help brands - and consumers - understand their carbon impact and make more informed choices.
“At TOAST, we believe every decision, big or small, shapes the future, " says Rosie. “This pilot is one small step in our ongoing journey to reduce waste and tread more lightly.”
“Circularity is a team sport,” says Gianfranco. “We’re thrilled to work with TOAST as an early adopter. Its willingness to trial and refine this solution is what paves the way for scalable change.”
This pilot runs through World Earth Day (22 April) and beyond, with results and insights to be shared in the coming months. By partnering on alternative packaging solutions TOAST and Kvatt are working to build a resilient, waste-free future for generations to come.