Trash No More: Veda’s Smart Shift

OZZI and Eco-Products’ Veda system slashes foodservice waste with smart, trackable containers.

10 Jan 2025

Eco-Products and OZZI have launched Veda, a reusable container program designed to reduce waste across institutional foodservice operations. The system, now active in university and healthcare settings, aims to replace single-use packaging with durable, trackable containers.

The Veda system uses smart chips embedded in each container to monitor usage and returns, while withstanding up to 1,000 industrial washes. Users return containers at designated stations, with real-time tracking enabling efficient redistribution to kitchens. Operators report favorable user feedback and return rates exceeding 90 per cent during pilot programs.

The initiative draws on OZZI’s existing network of more than 400 reuse locations across the US. Eco-Products, part of Novolex, supplies compostable and recyclable foodservice items and is expanding into reuse models in response to regulatory and consumer demand.

California and New York have introduced bans on single-use plastics in food service, accelerating the need for compliant alternatives. “Veda offers a system that meets regulatory needs while delivering long-term cost benefits,” said the companies in a joint statement. They cite reductions in both the purchasing of disposables and waste management costs.

Although initial investment costs are higher due to reusable inventory, washing infrastructure and staff training, operators are beginning to factor in long-term savings. Industry analysts suggest institutional settings such as corporate canteens, universities and hospitals are best positioned to adopt reuse systems at scale.

The Veda programme recently received a national award for sustainability, supporting its potential for broader rollout. Still, successful implementation depends on consistent user engagement and operational coordination.

“Closed-loop reuse models are no longer experimental; they are becoming practical necessities,” said an industry consultant familiar with the project. “The challenge is less about technology and more about systems integration.”

As more institutions confront waste reduction mandates and rising material costs, reusable packaging networks such as Veda could shift industry standards. The model reframes packaging not as a disposable item, but as a circulatory asset that is washed, tracked and returned.