SEA ME & zerooo Technical Implementation of a Digital Reusable Packaging System

The Challenge: Rethinking Reusables for the Digital Age

SEA ME and zerooo needed more than an online shop – they needed a digital mirror of their entire reusable packaging system for cosmetic products. The technical challenge: different customer segments, complex deposit logic, and a growing network of drop-off points all had to come together in one system.

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SEA ME offers sustainable care and cleaning products. With zerooo, they developed a reusable infrastructure that's also open to other brands. My job: the technical implementation of this vision – from WordPress integration to custom WooCommerce logic.

Custom WordPress Solutions for Sustainable Business Models

The WordPress foundation and design came from Design Manufaktur Hamburg. I got to enhance the project with complex technical features that made the reusable system actually work.

A key feature is the privacy-compliant store finder. It lets users quickly locate all pick-up and drop-off points for SEA ME products – at Müller, Budni, or selected zero-waste shops. An interactive map shows the nearest station at a glance. The twist: the Google Map only loads after the visitor gives GDPR consent.

WooCommerce Reimagined: Two Customer Worlds, One System

The real challenge was in the business logic. The system had to work simultaneously for two very different customer groups:

For end customers, I tailored the checkout process to accommodate the special requirements of the reusable system.

For retail partners, I had to implement completely different logic. They can register in the system, list their store as a drop-off and pick-up point, and become part of the reusable network. Smart carton sizing and seamless deposit returns directly through the website became possible.

The "My Account" section maps out the deposit cycle. Special features simplify deposit returns and make them trackable. With just a few clicks, customers can see how much deposit they're getting back and where to find the nearest drop-off point.

Privacy Meets Sustainability

For a forward-thinking project like SEA ME and zerooo, data privacy couldn't take a back seat. By implementing the Borlabs cookie banner, I made sure both SEA ME and zerooo meet current data protection requirements.

The nice touch: the cookie banner blends seamlessly into the sustainable design concept without disrupting the user experience – a small but important detail for websites with sustainability at their core.

A System Built to Scale

The system is designed for growth. With every new retail partner, the network in the store finder expands automatically. New products can be integrated into the existing deposit and reusable logic without a hitch.

The technical implementation offers concrete benefits: new drop-off points can be added through an admin interface – no coding required. The WooCommerce extension is modular, so new product categories or deposit amounts slot right in. The custom user accounts automatically capture all relevant data for deposit returns – a scalable system for growing demands.

Technical Sustainability in Harmony with Ecological Vision

This project shows how technical solutions and ecological goals can work hand in hand. The WordPress and WooCommerce customizations form the digital backbone for a system that reduces waste and conserves resources in the real world.

In collaboration with Design Manufaktur Hamburg