How an idea became the best reusable shipping box - Behind the Scenes at hey circle

Success is not a straight line. This is especially true when you are developing packaging that is supposed to solve several problems at once: too much CO₂, too much waste, too high shipping costs. At first glance, our reusable shipping boxes appear simple - but their development involves more passion, brainpower and tenacity than you might think.

From idea to prototype: ‘If you can dream it, you can do it’

It all started with a simple idea - and a piece of cardboard on the kitchen table. We wanted to develop packaging that was not only more sustainable than disposable cardboard, but also more durable, lighter, easier to fold, more logistics-friendly and beautiful enough to pass as a brand ambassador.

But: five years ago, we didn't have a finished product. And we set off anyway. Because if the idea works, it also works through the initial imponderables.

Our biggest learnings (and a few fails) as a start-up

• Just get started. Our first prototype was far from perfect. But it opened doors - because people believed in the idea.

• Values first. Our life cycle assessment was there before the first product was ready for series production. It is still our benchmark today. Nevertheless, we have to explain it in order to dispel people's reservations about plastic and empty transport.

• Allow for mistakes. Not all packaging has delivered what it promised. But each one has made us smarter. Not every folding technique, material and design feature has proved successful, but these loops are part of the process.

• Daring to be visible. From pitches to TV shows - sometimes you have to jump over your own shadow to get your topic seen. And you're never done - because every new customer hears about us for the first time at some point!

• Making quality visible. Because if you deliver long-lasting packaging, it's okay to say so. Customers appreciate being able to realistically compare different solutions.

Many layers and manual labour result in a reusable box

Time machine to the year 2025: our boxes are not generic reusable containers. Every detail - from the folding mechanism and stackability to the removable label - has been developed and tested in collaboration with experts, partners and users. The boxes and bags are made by hand, each seam is unique

Our mission: The best reusable box on the market. Robust enough for up to 60 rounds, efficient enough for automated warehouses and CEP processes, sustainable enough for a positive carbon footprint, with an attractive price so that companies don't have to choose between sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Cost savings through longevity

Our boxes cost more to buy than disposable cardboard - but they replace up to 60 of them. This saves an average of 53% of packaging costs, reduces CO₂ emissions and eliminates the need for disposable packaging.

Durability is not a nice-to-have - it's the business model.

An entrepreneurial team with a mindset: Doris Diebold and Morris Kurz

Doris founded hey circle to make sustainable impact tangible. As a mother, networker and logistics expert, she has the courage to question established systems - and the perseverance to bring solutions to market maturity. What drives her? Responsibility. For our environment. For future generations. For better shipping. Morris ensures that customers have a complete system with an eye on life cycle assessment, finances and IT platform.

Conclusion: Our attitude remains the same. Our boxes are getting better.

We continue to develop. For more function. For even better cycles. And for all those companies that not only want to ship more sustainably, but also more economically.