We all have the habit of going to the grocery store with our bags, but we don’t bat an eyelid (or little!) when we receive purchases in packaging that goes, at worst, directly into the trash or, better, recycling. A very young local company has launched a concept of reusable envelopes which is gaining popularity with Quebec retailers who do online business.

The idea behind PickPack was born during the pandemic, when the explosion of online commerce gave rise to an increase in packaging and excess packaging. Then a communications student, Jade Trépanier wrote articles where she was interested in sustainable trade. And she observed the one who was less so. She then became interested in a European system which allowed the customer to choose reusable packaging when going to the virtual checkout to pay for the order.

Two years after the start of this adventure, Jade Trépanier admits to not having the entrepreneurial spirit. But determination, yes.

Because it took a lot from the trio of students who knew nothing about the business world – the co-founder and two colleagues, Vincent Trépanier and Thomas Thivierge.

First, we had to convince Canada Post of the seriousness of the company. Which was done, after exhaustive research, if only to get in touch with the right people and get their attention… lasting! PickPack had to develop its product in partnership with Canada Post, because the pretty polypropylene envelopes go through the network back to PickPack.

“We did business with the environmental clinic at the University of Sherbrooke,” explains Jade Trépanier, regarding the choice of material. “It’s plastic, but it’s very durable and easy to recycle at the end of its life,” says Jade Trépanier, who specifies that this will be done.

Each of the envelopes is made to withstand around fifty uses.

Around thirty businesses have already adopted PickPack.

They obtain the envelopes and offer them to their customers when they finalize their online purchases. The retailer is billed on a per-use basis. The customer can opt for the reusable bag.

“Afterwards, the company is told that it can charge the consumer extra, from $0.99 to $3.99,” explains Jade Trépanier.

The bag comes with a stamp label that allows the customer to simply drop it into a Canada Post mailbox.

PickPack collects its envelopes. They are all identified by a barcode, so the company knows who returned it.

After one year, the return rate is 80%.

For the moment, approximately one in four customers who are offered this eco-responsible option decide to choose it. The merchant can send him an offer when he is notified (by PickPack) that the envelope has been returned to the source, which is a great opportunity to build customer loyalty.

PickPack is two years old, and the first envelopes entered circulation less than a year ago. The company initially had 10,000 made, but plans to double the amount soon. Many retailers are interested in its activities, including a major Quebec chain, specifies Jade Trépanier.

Some businesses ask for envelopes to be personalized – as they do for their reusable bags. This was not in PickPack’s plans, which is nevertheless open to the idea for large-scale clients.

Another unexpected, but worthy, request came: making packaging for fragile items, to replace the famous bubble wrap, which usually goes in the trash once the children have had fun deflating the little bubbles.