Bout'​ à Bout'

Bout' à Bout' is a company dedicated to re-establishing the industrial-scale reuse of glass containers. Founded in Nantes, France, in 2016 by Célie Couché, the venture originated from her reflection on the absurdity of breaking perfectly reusable glass bottles. Couché, with a background in sociology, philosophy, and a Master's degree in environmental policies, channeled her commitment to environmental issues into creating a tangible solution.

The company operates a comprehensive, 360-degree service model covering the entire glass reuse chain. It advises and supports food and beverage producers in their transition to reusable packaging, ensuring factors like label removability and container standardization are met. Bout' à Bout' then manages the logistics of collecting used glass containers from a network of partner stores and collection points. The core of its operation is its industrial washing facility in Carquefou, which has the capacity to wash millions of bottles annually, preparing them for resale back to producers. This creates a closed-loop system that serves producers, distributors, and consumers.

The business generates revenue through its various services, including strategic consulting, industrial washing, and the sale of cleaned, ready-to-use containers. Its client base includes food and beverage producers, supermarkets, wholesalers, and delivery companies. A significant milestone was a €7.3 million fundraising round, which included support from impact funds, industry players, the state, and citizen investors, enabling its transition from an association to an industrial-scale enterprise.

Keywords: glass reuse, circular economy, bottle washing, returnable packaging, waste reduction, environmental impact, sustainable packaging, industrial washing, logistics, collection network, agri-food packaging, beverage containers, deposit return scheme, Célie Couché, Nantes, Carquefou, industrial ecology, packaging reuse, glass recycling alternative