Glossary
Here’s a quick overview of the most important terms.
A
APIs – Application Programming Interfaces – provide a sophisticated interface between different software systems to enable seamless integration and communication. They define how programs exchange data and utilize functions from other software. The faster the response time, the more efficient and effective the API’s performance.
B
The Blauer Engel – Blue Angel – is the German government’s environmental label, established by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety. Many consumers trust the Blue Angel, as it is a politically and economically independent certification that indicates which products are environmentally friendly throughout their entire lifecycle.
BPA-free means that the labeled product does not contain the chemical Bisphenol A. Especially when in contact with food, exposure to this substance can have potential health effects.
C
Central kitchens prepare meals at a single location for multiple recipient sites, which are often not in the immediate vicinity of the kitchen. In these kitchens, components of meals or entire dishes are produced and then distributed to the various locations.
The climate fee is a charge applied to support additional funding for climate and environmental protection. At Relevo, this means a flat compensation is automatically collected if the reusable containers are returned later than the 14-day rental period or are heavily damaged or unacceptably soiled.
D
Deposit-free means that no deposit is charged on certain products, so there is no exchange of money for packaging and back again. However, if a company still wants the product returned after a certain period, a deposit-free system like the one enabled by the Relevo app can be implemented.
G
Greenwashing is a marketing strategy often used to make a company appear more sustainable than it actually is. It typically involves misleading or false claims intended to convince consumers that a product is genuinely environmentally friendly. For more information, feel free to check out our blog post on greenwashing.
H
The Happy Nature Score is a feature in the Relevo app that playfully shows how many returned Relevo reusable containers were submitted on time. The score increases with each timely return.
For more information, feel free to check out our FAQs.
I
Inventory management refers to the process of planning and controlling stock levels to ensure that enough products (Relevos) are always available. This involves keeping track of all reusable containers and knowing exactly which stage they are in to minimize losses.
K
KPI – Key Performance Indicator – measurement refers to metrics that track the activities within a company. They help determine the success or failure of specific actions. By monitoring, recording, and analyzing these indicators, trends and issues can be identified early, enabling data-driven decision-making.
L
LCA – Life Cycle Assessment – is used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle. This standardized method considers every stage, from raw material extraction and production to packaging, usage, and disposal.
M
The reusable offering obligation requires foodservice businesses to provide a reusable option alongside disposable packaging when offering food and beverages to-go.
N
NFC – Near Field Communication – allows data to be exchanged wirelessly between two devices over a short distance (usually just a few centimeters). It is an extension of RFID technology and is commonly used for contactless payments or information exchange.
P
Plug & Play refers to systems that can be used immediately without complex configurations or installations, making it easy to integrate them into existing processes.
A pooling system is a shared concept that provides multiple businesses with access to a range of standardized reusable containers. This eliminates the need for each company to purchase and manage its own packaging.
A Product ecosystem refers to how the reusable system is integrated into a company’s existing systems and processes. It encompasses the entire technical and organizational infrastructure, including the Relevo app, server, QR codes, partner integrations, billing systems, and monitoring tools.
Q
QR codes – Quick Response Codes – are patterns made up of black-and-white squares that encode complex information in a compact way. They can be scanned with a camera or scanner to quickly and easily retrieve the stored data. Similar to barcodes, QR codes are based on the binary system, using numbers, letters, and symbols represented as ones and zeros, or black and white.
R
Reusable products or packaging are designed to be used more than once. They are essentially circular economy in practice: after each use, they are cleaned or reprocessed and then put back into circulation. This reduces waste and conserves valuable resources.
RFID – Radio Frequency Identification – consists of a transponder (a chip on the object, usually operating without an external power source) and a reader that wirelessly retrieves the stored information. This technology enables automatic, contactless, and line-of-sight-free data transfer from objects and is widely used in logistics.
S
SAN reusable packaging containers – Styrene-acrylonitrile reusable packaging containers – is a durable material often used for children’s or camping dishes. Thanks to its shatterproof, hard-surfaced, temperature-resistant, and dishwasher-safe properties, it is the perfect material for our Relevo bowls and cups.
The EU Single-Use Plastics Directive is a regulation that has been in effect since July 3, 2021. It aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste in the EU, primarily by banning certain single-use plastic products.
Sustainable containers are eco-friendly packaging solutions that, thanks to their durability and reusability, help reduce waste and conserve resources. They are also made from non-toxic, recyclable materials and serve as a replacement for single-use products.
T
To-go refers to food and beverages that are not consumed on-site but are taken away and enjoyed elsewhere.
Track & Trace refers to the monitoring of an object until its final return to one of the designated drop-off points.