Understanding the benefits of our reusable packaging pilot

It’s important to try before you buy. You wouldn’t roll out new logistics software or overhaul your inventory system without testing it first—too many things could go sideways.

Packaging, on the other hand, doesn’t always get that same consideration. It touches everything in your supply chain, so trialing it can feel disruptive. Easier to stick with the system you’ve got, even if it’s slowing you down.

But switching doesn’t have to be hard. Tosca’s pilot program allows you to test sustainable reusable packaging without jumping in headfirst.

You get to see how it performs inside your operation, with support every step of the way, without long-term commitments.

You’ll know exactly how it stacks up on labor, shrink, and product handling. And if the numbers make sense, you’ll already know it fits.

The benefits of piloting with Tosca

Our pilot program is designed to help you discover and prove the value of risk-free reusable packaging. There’s no long-term commitment required, and no pressure to move forward once the trial ends. 

Our experts support and manage your sustainable packaging trial. That means no additional heavy lifting is required. We provide end-to-end assistance—from planning to execution.

To help you better understand its value, see the eight key benefits of Tosca’s pilot program below.

How Tosca’s reusable packaging pilot works

Tosca’s pilot program is designed to eliminate any risk associated with evaluating the impact of reusable packaging versus your current single-use packaging. Here’s how it works.

1. Defining the program scope

Tosca’s experts will work closely with you to identify the key products, regions, distribution centers (DCs), suppliers, and stores involved in the pilot. Together, we’ll set clear goals, create a customized savings and benefits model and a life cycle assessment to measure the project’s impact.

During this process, we’ll assess your supply chain needs and recommend the most effective reusable solutions: containers, pallets, bins, or a mix. To ensure everything goes smoothly, we’ll manage the pack-out process to guarantee the perfect fit for your products.

2. Setting things up

We’ll create a tailored educational program for your team that focuses on best practices for handling, shipping, and returning our reusable containers, pallets, and bins. To further support this, Tosca provides training materials such as handbooks, videos, and posters for easy reference.

Our experts will schedule and lead training sessions with your suppliers, DCs, and stores. We’ll also help you establish a seamless reverse logistics process, ensuring a smooth and efficient return system once the pilot ends.

3. Executing the pilot

Tosca will support you throughout the pilot program, actively monitoring progress and conducting site visits to stores and DCs. 

We’ll continuously track performance against your established goals, ensuring everything stays on track. Based on our observations, we’ll suggest adjustments to optimize the program and maximize its benefits.

4. Evaluating the results

Once the pilot is over, Tosca will provide a comprehensive report outlining the program results, including feedback from DCs and store associates. 

This report highlights key improvements, such as reductions in shrink, transportation costs, packaging expenses, and labor requirements. It will also give insight into the program’s performance against your business goals. 

The most important part, though? A final report with actionable insights for ongoing optimization.

How our pilot program transformed egg protection for a leading retailer

Ahold, an international retailer, identified shrink and labor as the key issues impacting the bottom line of their egg products.

After meeting with Tosca, they moved forward with a pilot program. Because of their egg challenges, the retailer decided to see if reusable plastic containers (RPCs) could lower shrink, cut labor costs, and reduce their environmental footprint.

During their pilot, Ahold found that the RPCs provided better protection for eggs throughout the supply chain and simplified the labor-intensive stocking process. That’s because Tosca’s egg RPCs have a drop wall, making it easy to place the container directly into the display, lowering labor time and increasing in-store efficiency.

By the end of the pilot, Ahold:

• Reduced labor time by 30 minutes per store each week
• Achieved a 50% reduction in egg shrink
• Eliminated packaging waste

Want to see the impact of a Tosca pilot program for yourself?

At Tosca, we simplify the transition to reusable packaging, using our 60+ years of industry experience to guide you from pilot to rollout.

Ready to take the first step toward a more sustainable, cost-effective supply chain? Contact us to start your custom pilot program.