Packaging & Returns
What to do with your packaging and how to return it to us
Getting chilled Kerry Kefir safely to your door in glass bottles requires specialist packaging. Packaging is also a significant cost for a small food producer like us, so we try to reuse suitable materials wherever we can.
We’re currently using a mixture of our existing polystyrene bottle inserts and our newer TempGuard paper-based liners, so your order may arrive with either type of packaging for the moment.
Whichever version you receive, we’d really appreciate having the reusable packaging returned to us.
We know many customers are already keeping their glass bottles, which is brilliant. But the inserts, liners and gel ice packs are some of the most expensive parts of our delivery packaging to replace, so please hold onto those too.
What’s in my Kerry Kefir delivery?
Your order is packed using:
Glass bottles
Your Kerry Kefir is delivered in glass bottles. We’d ideally like these returned to us so they can be reused, but if you’re not returning them, they can be recycled through your local glass recycling facilities.
TempGuard paper-based thermal liners
Some orders are packed using TempGuard paper-based insulation to help protect the bottles during delivery. Clean, dry and undamaged liners can be returned to us for reuse.
Polystyrene bottle inserts
Some orders will continue to arrive using our existing polystyrene inserts. Please keep these for return to us.
Gel ice packs
Gel ice packs are included with your order to help keep your Kerry Kefir chilled while it is in transit. We’d ideally like these returned to us so they can be reused. If you’re not returning them, they can be placed in your general waste bin.
Cardboard delivery box
Please keep your boxes if you plan to return your packaging, as everything needs to be securely packed before DPD can accept it.
What should I keep?
Please keep:
- Clean, rinsed Kerry Kefir glass bottles
- Gel ice packs
- Clean, dry and undamaged TempGuard paper liners
- Polystyrene bottle inserts
- Your Kerry Kefir delivery boxes
If a TempGuard liner is wet, badly torn, stained or otherwise damaged and can’t be reused, it can be placed in your household recycling.
Please wait until you have two boxes
We ask customers to wait until they have packaging from at least two Kerry Kefir orders before returning it.
The cost of arranging a return for one box is, unfortunately, not financially sustainable for a small producer like us.
Once you have two boxes ready, pack everything securely inside and tape the two boxes together so they travel as one parcel.
Please don’t leave bottles loose for DPD
DPD can only collect securely packed parcels.
Please do not leave loose bottles, gel ice packs or packaging out for collection, as the driver will not be able to take them.
Everything should be safely packed back into your Kerry Kefir boxes before collection or drop-off.
Before you return your packaging
1. Rinse your bottles
Once you’ve finished your Kerry Kefir, rinse the bottles thoroughly and allow them to dry. Here’s a quick video on how to get your Kerry Kefir bottles clean if you do not have a bottle brush.
2. Check the TempGuard liners
Please only return liners that are clean, dry and undamaged.
If a bottle has leaked, or a liner has become wet, stained, torn or otherwise damaged, please place it in your household recycling instead. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to reuse damaged liners.
3. Wait until you have at least two orders
Please hold onto your packaging until you have packaging from at least two orders ready to return.
This allows us to combine the boxes into one DPD parcel rather than arranging a separate collection for every order.
4. Pack everything securely
Place your clean bottles, gel ice packs and undamaged TempGuard liners back into the boxes.
Tape the boxes securely together so they form one parcel for DPD collection.
How do I return my packaging?
We’re very happy to reuse packaging that comes back to us clean and in good condition.
Where possible, we’d especially appreciate the return of your glass bottles and gel ice packs, as these can be used again.
However, both collecting returned packaging and replacing damaged materials are significant costs for a small business, so we ask customers to wait until they have packaging from at least two Kerry Kefir orders before arranging a return.
Option One: DPD Pickup Point
If you have a convenient DPD Pickup Point nearby, you can return your packaged boxes there.
Once you have packaging from at least two orders:
- Pack your bottles, gel ice packs and reusable inserts or liners securely into the boxes.
- Tape the two boxes securely together so they form one parcel.
- Visit the DPD Returns page and continue as a guest.
- Select Kerry Kefir as the retailer.
- Enter your order number as the reference where available.
- Select Equipment Returns as the reason for return.
- Generate your return label and attach it securely to the parcel.
- Bring the parcel to your chosen DPD Pickup Point.
More detailed instructions can be found here.
Option Two: Collection from your address
If there isn’t a convenient DPD Pickup Point near you, please contact us once you have at least two boxes ready.
We can arrange for DPD to collect the securely packed parcel from your address.
What should I not return?
Please don’t send back:
- Wet or stained TempGuard liners
- Torn or damaged paper liners
- Packaging affected by a leaking bottle that is no longer suitable for reuse
- Packaging that is dirty or otherwise unsuitable to be used again
These materials should be recycled or disposed of according to the instructions below. Please follow your local waste provider’s guidance if you’re unsure how to dispose of any item.
What do I do with the packaging?
IIf you’re not returning your packaging to us, you can dispose of each part as follows:
| Packaging | What to do with it |
|---|---|
| Cardboard box | Place in your household recycling |
| TempGuard paper liner | Place in your household recycling |
| Glass bottles | Ideally return to us for reuse, or recycle through your local glass recycling facilities |
| Gel ice packs | Ideally return to us for reuse. If you’re not returning them, place them in your general waste bin |
Why are we asking for all the packaging back?
Packaging rules are changing, with greater emphasis being placed on reuse, traceability and reducing packaging waste.
For Kerry Kefir, that makes it increasingly important that reusable packaging sent out to customers actually makes its way back to us where possible.
The glass bottles are only one part of the cost of getting Kerry Kefir safely to your door.
Our polystyrene bottle inserts, TempGuard liners and gel ice packs are significant packaging costs too, and when they come back clean and suitable for reuse, we can use them again rather than replacing them for every order.
So if you’re saving your bottles for us, please save the rest of the reusable packaging too, it really does make a difference to a small producer.