REUTILIZ

What REUTILIZ does

REUTILIZ is a non-profit association (association loi 1901) founded in March 2019 in Réunion, a French overseas department, with a 5-person core team. The organization operates a glass container consignment and reuse ecosystem addressing the island's documented waste crisis: 30,000 tonnes of glass discarded annually and 80,000 plastic food containers thrown away each day, alongside the parallel inefficiency of importing 11,000 tonnes of empty glass containers each year. Its proposition spans a bottle and jar consignment system (deposited at collection points, then washed and redistributed to local beverage producers), and a barquette consignment system enabling partner restaurants to offer take-away meals in reusable glass containers for a 4€ deposit refundable on return.

The core technology stack consists of a semi-industrial glass bottle washing machine inaugurated on March 15, 2024 under the REUNIVERRE project (supported by Ademe), TOMRA-style automated vending machines at collection points (first installed at La Possession in February 2023), and a web application (conso.reutiliz.re) for managing consignment accounts, QR-code check-ins, and loyalty points. Collection infrastructure covers all four regions of Réunion — North (Saint-Denis), South (Saint-Pierre), West (Saint-Paul), East (Saint-Benoît) — combining public déchéteries (CASUD, TCO, DEAL), partner retailers and hotels, and automated machines.

The business model is community-led and non-profit: revenue occurs through transaction fees on producer-side refilling and small unit-value incentives (3 cents per bottle voucher at automated points, 2 centimes via the Wéva loyalty network), supported by grants (€150,000 from La France S'engage in July 2022, renewed laureate status in 2024) and donations via HelloAsso. Key customer segments are: B2B producers (enterprise: COVINO, CILAM, ISAUTIER, Les 3 Brasseurs), B2B restaurants/hotels (SMB: NAMAE, Le Palm Hôtel, LUX Saint Gilles, Villa Delisle), and end consumers. Distribution is multi-sided — direct partnerships with producers, channel partners (retailers, hotels, municipal waste centers), and self-serve automated points.

Name

REUTILIZ

Legal name

REUTILIZ

Website

https://reutiliz.re

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

REUTILIZ is a Réunion-based non-profit association operating a glass container consignment and reuse ecosystem — collecting, washing, and redistributing bottles and food containers to local producers and restaurants to reduce the island's 30,000-tonne annual glass waste and 80,000 daily plastic barquette discards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Circular Economy / Glass Container Reuse Services

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (562920)

SIC

Glass Containers (3221)

akta.pro primary industry

Reusable Packaging & Refill Systems (Returnable Transport Items, Deposit/DRS Ops) (EUAIANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reusable & Refill Packaging Systems (Returnable Packaging, Refill-at-Home/In-Store) (IMALAMAE), Returnable & Refillable Glass Packaging (Deposit, Reuse Systems) (IMALAEAF), Reuse & Resale / Recommerce Operations (EUAIANAC)

Keywords

• Glass container reuse
• Bottle deposit system
• Circular economy services
• Reusable food packaging
• Waste reduction infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Piton Saint-Leu

HQ country

Réunion

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Glass Container Consignment System: REUTILIZ operates a deposit/return consignment model where consumers pay a consignment fee (4€ for barquettes) which is refunded upon return. Revenue is generated through processing fees from producers who refill and redistribute containers, and potentially through scale of operations as the circular system grows.
2. Collection Infrastructure Services: Partner businesses (restaurants, shops, déchèteries) serve as collection points. Some automated points generate revenue through voucher costs borne by supporting businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

REUTILIZ operates a glass container consignment and reuse system on Réunion island, comprising two main offerings: a bottle and jar deposit-return system (consumers deposit empty glass at collection points for washing and redistribution to local beverage producers) and a restaurant takeaway barquette consignment system (€4 deposit per reusable glass container, refunded on return). Supporting the system is an island-wide collection-point network, a semi-industrial washing machine at the REUNIVERRE facility, automated TOMRA-style vending machines for bottle collection, and a web application (conso.reutiliz.re) managing consumer accounts, loyalty points, and QR-code verification.

Product overview

REUTILIZ offers a unified circular economy platform centered on glass container reuse in La Réunion. The core offering consists of two consignment systems: (1) a bottle and jar consignment system where consumers deposit glass at collection points across the island for washing and redistribution to local producers, and (2) a restaurant barquette (container) consignment system enabling takeaway meals in reusable glass containers. Supporting these operations is a web application for managing consignments and rewards, a network of collection points organized by geographic zones, and automated collection machines. The REUNIVERRE project adds semi-industrial washing capabilities to scale the operation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bottle and Jar Consignment System (Consigne Bocaux & Bouteilles) Deposit-return system for glass bottles and jars: consumers deposit empty glass at collection points across Réunion, the containers are washed at the REUNIVERRE facility, and redistributed to local beverage producers (COVINO, CILAM, ISAUTIER) for refilling. Operates in all four regions of the island with partner déchèteries, shops, and automated vending machines.
• Barquette Consignment System (Consigne Barquettes Verre) Reusable glass container consignment for restaurants: customers pay a €4 deposit for a glass barquette (takeaway container) at partner restaurants and receive the deposit back on return. Designed for restaurants, cafés, and food-traiteur businesses (NAMAE, La Case Gourmande, Olivier Le Cuisinier, Les Délices du Moulin Joli, Gou Lé O Resto, Le Monde des Saveurs) offering plastic-free takeaway.
• Island-wide Collection Points Network Network of glass bottle and jar collection points across Réunion, organized by geographic zone (North/Saint-Denis, East/Saint-Benoît, West/Saint-Paul, South/Saint-Pierre). Includes partner déchèteries (CASUD, TCO), partner retailers (Leader Price, Super U, Naturalia, Cavavin, V&B, Kaz Lagon), and dedicated locations for consumer drop-off.
• Web Application (Webappli conso.reutiliz.re) Web-based application that lets consumers register, manage their accounts, discover partner restaurants, perform QR-code check-ins for barquette returns, earn loyalty points (1 point per barquette use, rewards at 10 points), and request refunds of consignment deposits.
• Automated Collection Machine (Automate de Collecte) Vending-machine-style automated bottle collection system that accepts eligible glass containers and issues vouchers (3 cents per bottle) or loyalty rewards in exchange. First installed at La Possession, enabling self-serve, automated consumer participation in the glass consignment system.
• REUNIVERRE Semi-Industrial Washing Facility Semi-industrial washing machine and supporting facility at Piton Saint-Leu that cleans and sanitizes collected glass bottles for redistribution to local beverage producers. Operated under the REUNIVERRE experimental project supported by Ademe; consumes 4x less energy than producing new glass.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,000 tonnes of glass waste reduced per year (when system reaches full scale)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• REUNIVERRE ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerREUNIVERRE is an experimental study on glass reuse at Réunion, supported by Ademe. The project involves installing and operating the semi-industrial washing machine for bottles. 85 stakeholders attended the inauguration of the washing equipment on March 15, 2024.
• Ademe (via REUNIVERRE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdeme (Agence de la Transition Ecologique) conducted the study showing 30,000 tonnes of glass waste annually and supports the REUNIVERRE experimental project for glass reuse.
• COVINOcoreTechnology or IntegrationLocal wine/beverage producer who fills and redistributes glass bottles collected by REUTILIZ. Their products are eligible for REUTILIZ consignment system.
• CILAMcoreTechnology or IntegrationLocal beverage producer participating in the glass consignment reuse system, refilling collected bottles with their products.
• ISAUTIERcoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor local rum producer filling bottles for the consignment system. ISAUTIER bottles appear on the list of eligible containers for REUTILIZ collection.
• CASUDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunauté d'Agglomération du Sud operates déchèteries (waste centers) in the South region that serve as glass collection points for REUTILIZ, including locations in Le Tampon, Entre Deux, Saint-Joseph, Saint-Philippe.
• TCO (TCO Ouest)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTCO (Territoire de la Côte Ouest) operates déchèteries in the West region serving as REUTILIZ collection points at Plateau Caillou, Les Capucines, La Marine, Saint-Laurent, and Le Thénor.
• DEAL RéunionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDirection de l'Environnement, de l'Alimentation et du Logement operates facilities in multiple regions (Saint-Pierre, Saint-Paul, Saint-Denis, Saint-Benoît) that serve as collection points.
• WévaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business offering loyalty points (2 centimes per bottle) credited to consumer accounts when bottles are deposited at their location in Saint-Leu.
• Les 3 BrasseursminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCraft brewery with loyalty program accepting their bottles at automated collection points across their 3 locations in Réunion.
• IREN / Runéo (Equilib'nout barkët)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIREN (Institut de Recherche en Environnement) and Runéo collaborated with REUTILIZ on the 'Equilib'nout barkët' project to create an optimal barquette design based on balanced meal proportions using Réunion products in reusable consigned containers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bocoléon: French startup offering a glass jar consignment system for producers and consumers, with washing infrastructure. Highly comparable to REUTILIZ's bottle/bocal reuse loop.
• uzaje: French company operating reusable packaging systems for restaurants and food service, including pooled washing and redistribution of containers. Closely comparable to REUTILIZ's barquette consignment model.
• BOYCOTT (BOYCOTT - Les emballages réutilisables): French startup offering reusable food containers for restaurants and take-away, with washing logistics. Direct functional analog to REUTILIZ's barquette system.

Broad incumbents

• Consigne de verre (Citeo glass consignment): Citeo runs the French national eco-organization and is piloting a glass consignment (réemployer) program. A larger incumbent moving into the same reusable glass / deposit-return space REUTILIZ targets locally.
• Loop / TerraCycle Loop: Global reusable packaging platform partnering with major CPG brands for refillable containers. Comparable business model (deposit + reuse + refill) but at much larger scale.
• Adelphe: French eco-organization focused on glass recycling and producer responsibility. A larger established actor in the same glass packaging / circular economy space that REUTILIZ operates in.

Emerging players

• Lemon Tri: French circular economy startup focused on reuse and recycling solutions, including deposit-based collection pilots. Adjacent comparator for REUTILIZ's consignment + collection model.
• MIWA: European startup building reusable packaging systems with smart refill stations and washing infrastructure. Comparable to REUTILIZ's automated collection + washing approach.
• Algramo: Chile-born reusable packaging company offering refill-at-store and bulk systems for CPG brands. Comparable in mission (eliminating single-use packaging) and deposit-based consumer model.
• MOBIUS (MOBIUS Reusable Packaging): Belgian reusable packaging operator pooling containers for food producers. Direct comparable in pooled/reuse logistics, though focused on B2B rather than consumer deposit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reutiliz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about REUTILIZ