Lola Valentina, a Chicago-area design firm and linen rental company, has adopted a reusable packaging system introduced by FedEx and developed in collaboration with Returnity to strengthen its logistics capabilities as the business expands. The company joined the packaging leasing program, enabling a rapid rollout without investing in its own reusable packaging assets while receiving onboarding, training, and operational support from FedEx and Returnity. Founded in 2019, Lola Valentina is a woman and minority-owned company that combines design expertise with linen rental services, focusing on craftsmanship and customer service. The move to reusable packaging is intended to simplify product shipments and returns while supporting the company’s continued growth in the event rental market.
The solution allows Lola Valentina to transport products through existing parcel workflows using durable shipping boxes designed to integrate with the FedEx network. It is built for managed, closed-loop shipping environments where products are shipped repeatedly between businesses and customers. “Scaling a brand like Lola Valentina requires infrastructure that supports both creativity and consistency,” said Valentina Fonseca Krug, CEO of Lola Valentina. “As we grow in the event rental market, having a reusable box solution allows us to reduce waste and make the shipping and return process much easier for our clients.” Within six weeks of deployment, the company expanded the program by requesting additional boxes to meet increasing demand, with the leasing model allowing capacity to grow without significant capital investment. “As more businesses adopt reusable packaging, the focus shifts from concept to execution,” said Mike Newman, CEO of Returnity. “Lola Valentina is a strong example of how companies with repeat shipping patterns can implement a system like this and quickly scale it within their existing operations.”
The reusable system was developed to overcome common obstacles that have slowed wider adoption, including cost, operational complexity and compatibility with conventional parcel networks. By operating within the FedEx infrastructure, businesses can replace single-use corrugated packaging with durable alternatives while maintaining existing shipping processes. Lola Valentina’s implementation reflects the growing use of reusable packaging among B2B shippers seeking greater operational efficiency alongside long-term sustainability objectives, particularly where shipping volumes are frequent and follow predictable return cycles.
