BOXO develops reusable shipping packaging

As if it were the most normal thing in the world, he talks about the production of thousands of copies. About cost prices, systems and discussions with major players. No, there is nothing to suggest that Okke de Jonge has only been doing business for 2.5 years. Or that his company BOXO was actually born out of necessity. Nevertheless, that is exactly how Okke started doing business in February 2021. At that time, he was studying Entrepreneurship and Retail Management. The corona pandemic is in full swing and there is no fun and suitable internship. No problem, says the student: if he can't find an internship company, he'll start one himself, right?

‍For as long as he can remember, Okke has kept a list of things that frustrate him as a consumer. Two of the things on that list? The huge amount of waste caused by online orders. And the fact that shipping boxes are often only half full. A shame! An idea is slowly starting to form in his head... If he were to develop reusable and flexible shipping packaging, he would solve both problems and have a nice business model in one fell swoop. Just a few weeks later, Okke registers his company BOXO with the Chamber of Commerce.

I try to participate in production for half a day at least once every two weeks.

Overcrowded paper container

Motivated to make BOXO a real thing, Okke is further developing his idea. In addition, he receives guidance from Founded in Friesland. Together with his supervisor, the brand new entrepreneur investigates the problems that different user groups face. He discovers that consumers are annoyed by the overcrowded (paper) container, that carriers hate the half-empty boxes they have to transport every day, and that web shops mainly think that there is no suitable alternative to the cardboard box. “With all that input, we started designing,” Okke looks back. “After each design round, we asked for feedback from our network. That's how we finally came up with the BOXO as we know it today: a flexible but strong shipping bag that you close with sturdy velcro. This way, you can always make it exactly fit for the product you send in it. And: you can reuse it over and over again.”

Big steps

From that moment on, the entrepreneur is fully committed to further expanding his business. He takes part in the Enter Prize pitch competition and makes it to the final, joins NHL Stenden's Center for Entrepreneurship and also manages to reach the final of the Startup Festival in Groningen. In addition, he will have two more partners: experienced entrepreneurs Marcel Kleizen and Lucas Hullegie join BOXO. “Together with them, I really took big steps. We not only started producing Boxo's, but we also started developing return systems.”

Participate in production

First, that production: “Boxos are made from used FrieslandCampina big bags,” Okke explains. “The employees of social work company Caparis take apart the big bags for us. With a die developed especially for us, the shape of the BOXO is then cut out of the material. At Kussensopmaat, also a workplace for social work, the Boxos are assembled and provided with velcro and labels.” Okke is closely involved in production. “I try to work half a day at least once every two weeks. Both at Caparis and Custom Pillows. That's how I keep in touch with the product and hear what the production staff are up against. For example, does it appear that placing a certain label is very difficult? Then we will investigate whether that can be done differently.”

Fixed amount or deposit

“We have two return systems. The first is a subscription. In addition, the customer pays a fixed monthly fee for using a number of Boxo's, which is particularly useful for internal flows and returns. We arrange cleaning and any repairs. The second system is a deposit model. This is already being used by various web shops, including VRY, Lena The Fashion Library and Loofy's. Customers who order from these shops and live within a radius of 2.5 kilometers around a drop off point will have the option to have their order shipped in a BOXO for a fee of €3.95 in a deposit. When returning the BOXO, they get the deposit back.”

2024: growing and improving

Around 2,000 Boxo's are now in circulation. An additional 2,500 are currently being produced. “And in 2024, we will produce a total of 25,000 Boxo's,” says Okke proudly. Because 2024 is going to be a year of growth, as he calls it. “We are going to open drop-off points in Leeuwarden, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Leiden and Arnhem. This means that many more consumers will be able to have their order shipped in a BOXO.”

Puzzle-pieces together

From school assignment to serious startup: it's BOXO's history in a nutshell. “The fact that we now just have paying customers makes me really proud,” smiles the entrepreneur. “The entire Boxo team has been committed to making our product better and better. Even more sustainable, even cheaper, even more efficient. Now we have a product that I fully support. I really believe that reusable shipping packaging is the future. It should be normal to receive your online order in a BOXO. So that those half-empty boxes and overcrowded containers will finally become a thing of the past.”