A patented cartridge refill system designed by Australian company Circular is a finalist in the Sustainable Packaging Awards, run by Packaging Europe. The awards will be presented during the Sustainable Packaging Summit in Amsterdam on 12 November.
Circular has developed and patented its cartridge refill technology, combining the principles of the circular economy: Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle, with the tenets of behavioural change: Convenience, Intuitiveness, Simplicity, and Cost.
Circular says its versatile Cartridge Refill System gives brands and consumers the flexibility to choose between ultralightweight refills for optimal recycling, or heavyweight refills for wash-and-return systems — or both.
The company says the innovation lies in the symbiotic relationship between a high-quality reusable dispenser and ultra-lightweight plastic refills (rPET / rHDPE), designed to minimise plastic usage and align with the plastics circular economy to maximise material recoverability.
The reusable dispenser is durable and designed for long-term use, supporting up to 10 years of continuous operation, according to Circular. The ultra-lightweight refills are made from 100% recycled PET or HDPE.
The system allows for easy swap-out of refills across a wide range of personal and home care products, with a simple 'lock and load' mechanism making for a mess-free 3-second refill process.
It is also designed to designed to be easily repairable by the consumer, extending the product's life and reducing waste.
In terms of marketing, it offers brands who are facing heavy restrictions on the design of their packaging the flexibility to customise dispensers and refills, preserving brand identity and consumer engagement.
Finally, it features a tapered refill to maximise liquid delivery, reducing waste, improving consumer satisfaction and maximising material recoverability at end-of-life.
"With potential to eliminate — or reduce plastic waste and emissions by over 80 per cent, this system supports a dual approach to the circular economy tailored to diverse market needs," says CEO and founder Joel Wells.
"Built for flexibility, it’s future-proof and ready to adapt to new materials and technologies, making it a versatile solution for sustainable packaging today and tomorrow.
"Single use is dead. Cartridge refills are the future."
