RUDi as a Response to New Packaging Legislation: Reusable Solutions in Real-World Application

Sustainability meets efficiency: The reusable display system RUDi has proven its worth in extensive trials with leading partners such as REWE, EDEKA, MARS, Schwartau, and Intersnack – and has been setting new standards at the point of sale since 2024. 

Since its market introduction in 2024, RUDi – short for Reusable Display – has been reshaping retail logistics in the German grocery sector. Developed by the start-up EcoRetail and supported by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) and logistics service provider IPP, the system increasingly replaces conventional single-use displays made of cardboard and composite materials. 

RUDi underwent extensive real-world testing as early as 2023. REWE Nord trialed the system over six months in 378 stores, deploying 1,530 displays. Feedback from in-store staff highlighted both visual impact and ease of handling: the displays remained stable, were highly adaptable, and their modular structure promoted reuse – a key principle of circular economy systems. 

EDEKA, together with MARS, Schwartau, and Intersnack, also tested RUDi in 2023 across different sales campaigns. At MARS, the same display was repurposed multiple times with new products – from Twix and Balisto to Mixed Minis and finally M&M’s. The results: high stability, easy restocking, and notable material savings. Only the tight time frames for on-site conversion presented a challenge. 

Schwartau tested the HOODiE concept for the first time – a textile cover that wraps the display to strengthen brand presentation. Store personnel praised the simple setup and the high level of attention the display generated. The promotional stock sold out quickly. 

Intersnack continued testing RUDi into 2024. Two display bases mounted on a quarter pallet, fitted with cardboard inserts and trays, moved smoothly through the supply chain and were used in stores without any issues. The verdict from staff was clear: RUDi worked so well, it went almost unnoticed – and that’s a good thing. 

RUDi consists of stackable, collapsible boxes made entirely from recycled plastic. These are mounted on a rolling base or quarter pallet, both also made from recyclate. The system is designed for virtually unlimited reuse. Damaged parts can be shredded and returned to the material cycle. Initial results show savings of up to 70–80% in both CO₂ emissions and logistics costs, driven by reduced transport volumes, simplified storage, and elimination of single-use materials.  

RUDi was recognized in 2023 with the Gold Display Superstar Award and named “Product of the Year 2023” in the Transport & Logistics category by the trade magazine materialfluss. These accolades highlight RUDi’s role as an effective example of future-proof, circular retail logistics. 

From a regulatory perspective, RUDi is also on solid footing: since early 2025, the new EU Packaging Regulation has introduced stricter requirements for reusability and recyclability. RUDi already complies – offering retailers and brands legal and strategic planning security. 

It’s a sustainable logistics system that has proven its value in practice and is helping to drive change in retail. Thanks to its ease of use, robust construction, and measurable environmental benefits, RUDi stands as a model for circular economy innovation – showing that sustainable transformation can also be economically viable. 

“RUDi saves money, reduces waste, and improves efficiency,” says Dr. Volker Berding, DBU expert in resource management.