Implementing reusable packaging systems: Lessons from industry

Abstract

Despite corporate pledges, reliance on singleuse plastics continues to grow (Greenpeace, 2018). In 2023, plastic production reached 413.8mT (Plastics Europe, 2024), with a predicted 152.5mT attributed to plastic packaging (OECD, 2022). An estimated 50% of plastic packaging enters landfill each year, with a projected 1-2mT leaking into the environment (Ritchie et al., 2023). Ill-disposed plastics create a lasting impact on the environment and eco-systems. Despite this, plastic packaging production is expected to triple by 2060 (OECD, 2022). Whilst at-home and in-store initiatives are trailed to stimulate consumer recycling rates, stagnation leaves much to be desired. In the UK, 55% of plastic packaging is recycled per year (WRAP, 2023), and intention to engage in kerbside recycling has decreased by 7% (RECOUP, 2023). Exploring alternative avenues for waste management is necessary to kerb plastic pollution and natural resource depletion further. ...