As sustainability expectations increase and regulation tightens, retailers are under growing pressure to rethink how packaging is used, recovered and reported.
One approach gaining traction is closed loop recycling. Rather than treating plastic as waste, it keeps materials in use by collecting, reprocessing and the recycled feedstock is used by manufacturers to produce new packaging products.
At Duo, we developed a closed loop recycling service that has been successfully adopted by leading retail and e-commerce brands over several years.
Why Are Retailers Moving to Closed Loop Recycling?
Businesses typically adopt a closed loop approach to:
- Increase recycling rates across their operation
- Support a circular economy for plastics
- Contribute towards Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations
With packaging now under greater scrutiny, these outcomes are no longer optional. They are becoming essential to maintaining compliance, controlling costs and demonstrating progress.
What Does This Look Like in Practice?
Boden: Embedding Circularity into Packaging Strategy
Boden has placed sustainability at the centre of its operations, guided by eight principles:
Remove, Re-use, Reduce, Recycled, Recyclable, Replace, Refuse and Re-educate.
Their packaging ambition is clear:
- Adopt recycled materials
- Fully recyclable formats
Boden reports their progress to date includes:
- 95% recycled content (by weight)
- 99% of packaging recyclable
“We have worked with Duo for nearly three years now, and for us an important factor is a strong focus on closed loop, knowing our plastic waste was being recycled into new dispatch packaging. There needs to be complete transparency as to where waste goes and how it is recycled. Duo have provided this along with the expected quality packaging and customer service as standard.
We always strive to reduce our packaging impact and its great to see Duo working on initiatives to make packaging stronger using less material. Duo is not just about supplying packaging, they are knowledgeable about all reporting legislation, keeping packaging sustainable and staying ahead of the game with innovation.”
Technical Manager at Boden
Freemans: Delivering Measurable Recycling Impact
Freemans has taken a practical approach to improving sustainability through better waste management.
By implementing closed loop recycling, they strengthened:
- Waste segregation
- Collection processes
- Material recovery
The result:
- 74 tonnes of post-consumer plastic recycled in one year
This demonstrates how operational improvements can translate into measurable environmental impact.
“Duo have worked closely with FGH and listened to our goals. The knowledge they have shared with us and talked through the process has enabled us to achieve a successful outcome. They gave their all in delivering a great result and this is highly commendable.
We attended Duo to see our print run and to see our bags come to life. Seeing this in full production is a great experience and gives everyone a sense of achievement. It’s a pleasure to work with a great team.”
QVC: Driving Change Through Operations and Education
QVC has integrated closed loop recycling into its broader sustainability strategy.
The programme has delivered:
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Improved packaging circularity
- Greater internal awareness and engagement
The results:
- 95 tonnes of plastic recycled in one year
“The innovation that Duo brings to the table has been a game-changer for us. Their expertise in re-designing our auto bagging film and their support in implementing a closed-loop recycling system have significantly contributed to our sustainability goals. The partnership has not only helped us reduce our carbon footprint but also strengthened our overall performance levels. We’ve got a great relationship with the Duo team, and it really shows in the results we’ve achieved together.”
Packaging Engineer at QVC
Why Closed Loop Packaging Matters Now
Packaging is no longer just a functional requirement. It is a visible indicator of sustainability performance.
Closed loop recycling addresses several critical challenges at once:
- Compliance: Supports EPR and reporting requirements
- Cost control: Reduces reliance on taxed or virgin materials
- Carbon impact: Keeps materials local and in use
- Credibility: Demonstrates real, traceable action
For procurement and sustainability teams, it provides a practical, scalable solution that aligns operational performance with environmental goals.
How Duo Can Support Your Packaging Strategy
If you are reviewing your approach to packaging, waste management or compliance, closed loop recycling offers a clear route to progress.
Duo supports businesses with:
- Closed loop recycling systems
- Recycled and recyclable packaging formats
- Data-led reporting
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