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Putting transport boxes to good use

Touchpoint is a workwear company that focuses on sustainable solutions. It acts as a sales, marketing, and production company that uses subcontractors for manufacturing. Touchpoint’s operating principle is to offer closed-loop solutions that ensure the sustainability of the workwear.

Many lives of materials

 

“The principles of the circular economy are manifested in our operations as the use of recycled materials in all possible applications. In addition, when the workwear reaches the end of its service life, we strive to turn it into new material instead of disposing of it as waste,” explains Touchpoint’s CEO Outi Luukko.

 

Touchpoint and Wiitta launched their collaboration about a year ago when the Hesburger fast food chain asked its partner Touchpoint to develop new sustainable solutions in addition to workwear.

Composing ideas

 

“We arranged a brainstorming session with Hesburger to determine which of their materials were suitable for reuse. We realized that they had plastic transport boxes that had reached the end of their lifecycles. Next, we began to seek ways of turning those boxes into trays, which are essential items at Hesburger’s restaurants.”

 

At this stage, Wiitta became involved and was invited to participate in the innovation process. This led to collaboration that resulted in the manufacture of trays from the old boxes.

 

Authentically green

 

In addition to reductions of up to 85% in the carbon footprint, the project boasts a high degree of domestic operations. The plastic is crushed and granulated in western Finland (Suomen Käyttömuovi, Pomarkku), and the mold was designed in Lahti (TSD & Engineering Oy, Lahti) and made in Sastamala (SP-Koneistus, Sastamala). Finally, the trays were made by Wiitta in Heinola. Thus, the project is a perfect example of local circular economy operations.

 

Luukko is also pleased about the collaboration.

 

“I take my hat off to Wiitta for their enterprising and agile attitude. They act with great integrity and professionalism. Rather than taking the easy way, they considered the best way to move the project forward, paying attention to development needs,” she says.

 

Wiitta’s profound understanding of product development and friendly customer service have been evident in the project.

Innovation comes true

 

With, for example, foodstuff approval taking some time to gain, the process has not been quick.

 

“When you work on a longer project, patience is required from all parties. Changes in operations and processes take their time. Getting the foodstuff marking required several months of work,” explains Luukko.

 

Slow but steady wins the race, as the goal is to produce all of Hesburger’s trays from recycled materials in the future. And in collaboration with Wiitta if it is up to Luukko. She says:

 

“We want to continue our work with Wiitta because of their expertise and meticulous work. On the basis of our experience, I can recommend embarking on a circular economy project with Finnish experts!”

 

Touchpoint is a pioneering workwear company that is expanding internationally with its sustainable solutions. It wants to shape the future of the textile industry through the means of circular economy and material choices. Read more about Touchpoint here!

 

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Do you have worn out plastic products?

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Wille Viittanen

+358 40 581 8958
wille.viittanen@wiitta.fi

 

Contact Wille and we will harness them for reuse!