Eco-Products®, a brand under Novolex® and a frontrunner in sustainable food and drink packaging, has been awarded the 2025 Balpex Innovation Center Award for its innovative Veda™ reusable containers.
The Veda line is specifically designed for cafeterias, campus dining halls, and various on-site foodservice operations. It simplifies the use of reusable containers while promoting a sustainable approach to food and drink packaging.
“We see reuse as the next frontier in sustainable foodservice,” stated Wendell Simonson, General Manager of Eco-Products. “Veda pairs smart technology with durable design to make reuse easy for customers and achievable on a large scale.”
The Balpex Innovation Center Award honors products that showcase an innovative method, measurable business impact, enhanced partner value, and significant market differentiation. Balpex is a not-for-profit buying group that represents independent distributors throughout Canada.
In collaboration with reuse innovator OZZI®, the Veda line incorporates robust containers alongside smart tracking technology, catering to campuses, corporate environments, military bases, and hospitals.
Using Veda containers is a straightforward process. Diners can purchase or borrow a container through a deposit or dining-service program, relish their meal on-site or to-go, and then return it to an OZZI collection machine. This machine scans the container, crediting the user automatically for their next purchase. Subsequently, the container is thoroughly cleaned and prepared for reuse.
The OZZI system functions independently yet seamlessly integrates into existing campus meal plan systems like Atrium® and Transact® + CBORD®.
“Our goal was to make reuse effortless,” Simonson remarked. “We’ve created a system that’s simple for diners, seamless for operators, and powerful in reducing waste.”
This recognition marks the second consecutive year that a Novolex brand has earned the Balpex Innovation Center Award. In 2024, Novolex’s Waddington North America received the accolade for Cutlerease®, an innovative dispensing solution that delivers one disposable utensil at a time, effectively minimizing waste, conserving space, and reducing the spread of germs. Cutlerease is compatible with Eco-Products’ compostable utensils.
Earlier this year, Eco-Products’ Veda line also received a Bronze Stevie® Award from the American Business Awards® in the Reuse & Recycle category, further validating its innovative approach and performance in sustainable foodservice.
“These awards represent an important milestone in advancing reusable systems that work in the real world,” Simonson noted. “Our goal is to make it easy for operators to adopt circular systems that reduce waste while maintaining convenience for customers.”
For further details about Veda Reusable Containers, visit www.ecoproducts.com/veda-line.
