MIWA is an innovative shopping system designed to eliminate single-use packaging. It uses reusable containers with smart technology, ensuring a convenient shopping experience while significantly reducing packaging waste across the supply chain. MIWA minimizes the ecological footprint by up to 71% compared to conventional single-use packaging, as confirmed by an independent LCA study conducted by University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague in 2018.
MIWA stands for MInimum WAste, reflecting our mission to introduce shopping without disposable packaging, minimizing waste production. By offering an alternative to disposable packaging, MIWA aims to combat the excessive use of plastics and reduce environmental impact.
Recycling, once considered the go-to solution, has proven to be inefficient, energy-intensive and costly. Although essential, recycling has its limitations and the value of materials is often lost during the process. For example, when it comes to plastics, a mind-blowing 91 % is not recycled due to poor material quality, contamination or too many different types of plastic used in one product, impossible to be detached. Majority of plastic waste still ends in incineration plants or landfills. MIWA's approach, based on circular systems, aims to prevent waste generation altogether, prioritizing waste prevention and reuse over recycling and disposal, aligning with the European Union's Waste Hierarchy.
MIWA opts for plastic containers due to their durability, reusability and recyclability. The use of monomaterial, which is easily recyclable, ensures material efficiency and minimal waste production. Plastic offers functional advantages, including lower weight and thus lower transport emissions compared to glass, and durability - it easily withstands repeated use and sanitation processes without damage.
MIWA operates on a closed-loop principle, ensuring controlled circulation of B2B packaging between manufacturers, points of sale, and MIWA service center. The closed-loop system extends to B2C levels, where supermarket customers can use reusable MIWA smart cups for shopping. Thanks to data monitoring, no packaging is lost or disposed of as general waste.
Using MIWA smart cup is not obligatory. You can also bring your container with a sufficiently wide filling opening.
MIWA packaging is designed for longevity. Capsules last for up to 300 cycles, with the polypropylene (PP) material being recyclable up to ten times, extending its life up to 3000 cycles. Consumer smart cups last for multiple uses, typically dozens, and can be recycled 2-3 times.
Single-use packaging generates 141 million tonnes of waste annually, straining resources and the environment. MIWA advocates for reusable packaging, aligning with legislation changes, global initiatives and commitments to minimize single-use packaging waste. An independent LCA study by the University of Chemistry and Technology showed that MIWA reduces overall environmental impact by up to 71 % compared to disposable packaging, including transport and container cleaning, cutting material footprint by up to 90 % and carbon footprint by 62 %.
Yes, we meticulously track environmental impact by utilizing NFC chips on our packaging. This allows us to monitor transport distances and usage frequency, optimizing our processes accordingly. Future plans include making this data accessible to customers via the MIWA app and rewarding customers for their responsible shopping practices by providing discounts based on repeated smart cup usage.
MIWA operates by transforming the supply chain using circular economy principles, establishing a circular system with reusable standardized packaging moving between manufacturers, stores and MIWA service center. Unlike traditional packaging-free shops, MIWA's key advantage lies in a data-driven circularity. This innovative approach enhances retailers' existing logistics without disruption, offering both economic and environmental benefits. MIWA provides a comprehensive technology-logistics solution, designed for mass use in supermarkets, addressing hygiene and scalability concerns that limit the effectiveness of traditional packaging-free shops. Traditional setups often lack scalability and fail to meet basic operational-logistical standards, unlike MIWA's system.
We assure complete hygiene in our system. Manufacturers fill and seal capsules, maintaining product integrity until purchase. Inner hygienic liners protect product quality, preventing manipulation with open product in shops. MIWA eliminates the need for specialized premises or staff at supermarkets. NFC chips in capsules enable continuous monitoring of product shelf life and prevent cross-contamination, which is vital for global manufacturers' hygiene and safety standards.
MIWA uses food contact-approved materials. Even when the capsule is open, secondary tightness provided by silicone tube and dispensing valve clamps safeguards the product from the external environment, ensuring consistent product quality.
Currently, over 90 dry products such as nuts, rice, coffee, legumes, cereals, pasta, spices, and laundry detergents are available. We're testing the technology for liquid products to expand the product range. MIWA capsules contain identical products as those in disposable packaging.
Yes, surveys conducted across various countries indicate that more than 80% of consumers express willingness to support reusable packaging solutions if they are convenient and cost-effective. MIWA offers an elegant and swift shopping experience, taking only seconds to make a purchase, aligning with customers' preferences for convenience.
MIWA facilitates the onboarding process for manufacturers or copackers, providing all necessary tools for packaging products in MIWA capsules. As a retailer, you can connect us with your preferred manufacturer, or we can connect you with companies we already work with.
We conduct pilot testing and customize our business model to meet each customer's specific store conditions and usage requirements. Our approach is tailored to individual client needs and may vary based on various factors such as store specifications and extent of usage.
MIWA implementation involves a structured 3-phase process: concept development, products integration and manufacturers' onboarding, and system setup.
Our service team handles the delivery, assembly of MIWA modules in-store, and provides training to shop operators during the initial phase. MIWA technical support is always available.
During the implementation phase, the MIWA module's design is customized according to your preferences and agreed upon.
You'll need space for storing capsules with products, access to a power socket, and an internet connection.
No, operations involve periodic empty capsule exchanges as needed, along with routine maintenance and cleaning.
MIWA offers technical service, online support, and scheduled technician visits for deep cleaning, all as per the agreement in place.
In case of batch issues or product risks, dispensing can be remotely disabled for individual products thanks to smart features, and the affected batch is swiftly removed from the store, ensuring rapid response to quality or safety concerns.
Our cups and capsules are equipped with an NFC chip, which allows us to electronically monitor product details, ensuring 100% reliability regarding their origin, contents, allergens and expiration dates. It also helps us track packaging material to prevent it from ending up as waste. It's important to note that we never monitor any personal data of our customers.
No, it's optional. The app offers benefits like tracking your MIWA smart cups, purchases, and information about purchased products. Additionally, retailers may provide rewards for responsible behavior and shopping from MIWA. However, it's necessary if you wish to shop from self-service MIWA modules.
It's highly improbable. The MIWA system is based on rigorous hygiene and product protection. Goods are filled directly into durable transport capsules by manufacturers and remain sealed until you access them. Moreover, continuous electronic monitoring during transport guarantees that products are delivered to customers in optimal quality.
The smart cup is a reusable plastic container provided by MIWA, available for rent with a deposit. It features an embedded chip that interacts with our system. You can take your purchases in the cup, return it for a refundable deposit, or reuse it and refill. When returned, we sanitize it for further use. Once it reaches the end of its lifespan, we recycle it to keep the material in circulation.
It is not possible to select the amount in advance. However, the new generation of MIWA showcases a display on each valve, providing real-time information on the weight or price of the product you've filled.
The electronic system simplifies your purchase, displays information about products and enables label printing. It ensures full electronic tracking of products and packaging during transport using NFC chips and an information system, guaranteeing reliable information about transport distances, product origin, contents, allergens, and shelf life. Operating the system is easy; just follow the instructions on the screen. Assistance is available from shop staff if needed.
Using a MIWA smart cup for shopping saves cca 30 g of primary packaging per transaction.
Simply follow the instructions displayed on the screen, that guides you through the process. Take a smart cup and tap the NFC chip on the bottom against the chip reader on the module (or use your own container and weigh it first), choose a product from the menu, pour the desired amount by pressing up the valve, and weigh it. The module prints a label with a bar code, which is scanned regularly at the checkout. MIWA smart cups are rented for refundable deposit - reuse them or return and get your deposit back anytime.
Single-use packaging strains the planet, turning valuable resources into waste that often ends up in incineration plants, landscapes, or oceans. This process causes environmental issues like ocean pollution and climate change as every discarded packaging necessitates the production of another, multiplying these problems.
Prices are defined by retailer. Reusable packaging doesn't necessarily increase the price of a product - for instance, at Aldi in the UK, MIWA wall products had a 5% lower price than the same products in disposable packaging, aligning with their "Sustainability pays" approach and attracting hesitant customers at the initial phase. MIWA aims to offer mainstream products, not just premium or organic ones, potentially giving the impression of higher prices.
Bags serve as an interim step for customers transitioning to the new shopping method; reusable containers are always available as an option. Yet, even shopping in a paper bag from MIWA reduces waste. Our system extends beyond store walls, utilizing reusable capsules between manufacturers, retailers, and service centers, significantly reducing secondary packaging during product transportation. Remarkably, one MIWA capsule saves nearly 2000 pieces of disposable packaging throughout its lifecycle.