Step One: Reusing Our Boxes
Reducing waste is one of the four main objectives of our environmental approach at Petzl. We aim to address waste at the source by generating less of it and conserving resources — for example, by designing products and packaging with an eco-conscious approach. For certain materials that cannot yet be eliminated and are still in good condition, the challenge is to give them a second life or extend their useful life. This means finding new uses and listening to what people need. That’s the principle behind reuse: using a product again before it becomes waste.
In 2021, we put this idea into practice with the cardboard boxes used in our logistics operations. Every year, nearly 80,000 practically new boxes used between production and order fulfillment were being recycled, even though they were still in excellent condition.
Rather than recycling them, Petzl decided to give them a second life through a local partnership with ECOREP (formerly Valoralp), which resells the boxes to other companies. In one year, the volume grew from 9 to more than 38 metric tons of boxes reused. The amount of materials being reused quickly increased, confirming that reuse can be a practical way to reduce our impact.
Reuse as a Collaborative Process
In 2026, we took the initiative one step further. The idea: reuse these boxes ourselves to ship our own orders. It sounds simple. In practice, it requires rethinking an entire process. The boxes have to be sorted, flattened, reconditioned, and then reintegrated into the logistics flow. The time spent on these operations also has to make economic sense. Finally, we need to clearly explain the initiative to customers who are accustomed to receiving new boxes and may now receive boxes that have already been used.
Making it work requires several teams to collaborate, including logistics, production, sales, and CSR. Working together allows us to find solutions that address operational, economic, and environmental considerations. The project also supports another Petzl commitment: inclusion. In partnership with an ESAT*, a full-time position was created to carry out this box-reuse activity.
Environmental Benefits, Economic Sense
The initial results are promising. Using reused boxes avoids approximately 47 metric tons of CO₂ compared with purchasing new boxes, while also generating cost savings.
To make the initiative visible, we decided to place a recycled-paper sticker on each reused box. The goal is to bring customers and partners along with us so that, together, we can help expand the practice of reuse.
Ultimately, this project is about something bigger. Reusing a cardboard box isn't just about preventing waste. It’s about finding new solutions, creating value without producing something new, and bringing greater purpose to what we do.
*ESAT (Établissement et Service d’Accompagnement par le Travail) is a French organization that provides adapted employment and support for people with disabilities.
