‘The Milkman Model’: Big Brand Names Try Reusable Containers

This photo shows Nestle's stainless steel Häagan-Dazs ice cream container designed for use with Loop. The new shopping platform announced at the World Economic Forum aims to change the way people buy many products, from food to personal-care and home products. Loop would do away with disposable containers for some name-brand products, including some shampoos and laundry detergents. Instead, those products would be delivered in sleek, reusable containers that will be picked up at your door, washed and refilled. Chris Crane/TerraCycle via AP

A new shopping platform announced Jan. 24 at the World Economic Forum aims to change the way we buy many brand-name products. “Loop” would do away with disposable containers for things like food, shampoo, laundry detergent and diapers from some of the world’s biggest manufacturers.

Instead, those goods will be delivered in sleek, reusable containers that will be picked up at your door, washed and refilled.