A custom-made box results in significant savings: no material waste, no filling material required and less cardboard consumption. Customers pay attention to sustainability, so it is good for the image of brands that they do not overpackage. A box is the first tangible thing a customer receives.' A well-automated system makes the difference, allowing customers to have customized boxes quickly and cheaply. Van der Heijden is currently focusing on box types and the process. The printing will receive attention at a later date. 'What strikes me is that especially companies that are also active online are switching to buying boxes online.'
Inspirational
The KIDV community opened doors for Van der Heijden. 'It didn't give me any concrete assignments, but I am now in contact with Thuiswinkel.org to discuss e-commerce and industry sustainability plans. And the meetings with other start-ups are inspiring.'
Cold pizza
Ton Kooiman, like Van der Heijden, is not a junior entrepreneur. He restores musical instruments and develops accessories for instruments that prevent RSI complaints in musicians. The link with the packaging world is a wonderful one. Every time Kooiman had a pizza delivered, he had problems with the rapid cooling. 'Eating in a hurry and that shouldn't be the case. My impulse was to cover the pizza. I then cut a hatch in the pizza box and ate a piece at a time with a knife and fork. The rest stayed warm in the sealed box. Turning the pizza was a problem and I made my own turntable out of cardboard.'
Collaboration
Kooiman noticed that something like this was not yet on the market and had his idea recorded. A business partner, Pascal Arts from StartupDesk, suggested setting up a BV. That became Cartonney. StartupDesk also put Kooiman in touch with Maarten Halma's Proqare (now Halma Solutions) and with the KIDV. This created a strong partnership. 'We have now reached the point where we have reached the major players. We have chosen to enter at the top of the pyramid, where decisions are made. Large players are showing interest, but all small players together also form an interesting market.'
Sustainable
Wat is er zo duurzaam aan de pizzadoos? ‘De draaischijf vangt de vettigheid op, waardoor de rest van de doos schoon blijft en bij het oudpapier kan. Alleen de draaischijf doe je bij het restafval. Verder is er vooral sprake van gebruiksgemak en eet je een warme pizza. Het is dus allemaal positief. En het goede nieuws is dat de doos niet duurder hoeft te zijn.’ En dan filosofisch: ‘Een pizza eten is een moment van rust. Het gaat om comfort & joy. Deze doos maakt dat mogelijk. Als je weet hoeveel pizza’s er op een dag worden gegeten wereldwijd, kan deze doos heel veel mensen een fijnere eetervaring brengen.’
KIDV Community
Kooiman mainly found inspiration and validation in the start-up community. "The KIDV confirmed the sustainability benefits. I also find expertise and people to spar with in the network. It's a valuable network. "