In today's world, where packaging accounts for 30% of our waste, businesses are increasingly looking for sustainable alternatives. Reusable packaging isn't just an environmental choice - it's becoming a business imperative. Let's explore how your organisation can successfully implement reusable packaging solutions.
Why Consider Reusable Packaging Now?
The momentum behind reusable packaging is building rapidly, driven by several key factors:
- Global Commitments: Over 500 governments and businesses worldwide have signed the New Plastics Economy Commitment, pledging to achieve 20% reusable packaging by 2025.
- Regulatory Pressure: New legislation, including Plastic Packaging Tax and Extended Producer Responsibility in the UK, Europe, and parts of the US, are increasing single-use packaging costs by up to 10 times!
- Consumer Demand: An overwhelming 81% of consumers express interest in switching to refillable products, making it a crucial consideration for customer satisfaction.
Understanding Reusable Packaging Models
Before you can get started with reuse, it’s essential to understand that there are multiple options, and it’s not one size fits all! The Ellen MacArthur Foundation identifies four main categories of refillable and returnable packaging.
Refill at Home
This is where customers refill reusable containers in their homes, and it often involves a subscription-based refill delivery.
An example of this is Bower Collective’s refillable household and personal care products.
Return from Home
This is where packaging is collected through pickup services, typically managed by logistics partners. An example of this is Gaia Pulses home collection service for their ready-meals.
Refill on the Go
This is where customers refill containers at external locations, and it usually involves in-store bulk dispensing systems. An example of this is M&S refill stations in selected stores.
Return on the Go
This is where users return packaging at designated drop-off points, often including deposit return systems. An example of this is Starbucks' reusable cup program.
Building Your Business Case
As much as we all want to do the right thing for the environment, reusable packaging must make business sense to be truly successful. After all, the most sustainable solutions are the ones that can stand on their own two feet commercially.
Ready to explore what this could look like for your business? Here's how to build a compelling case:
- Start Small
- Choose one product or packaging type as a pilot.
- Consider both B2C and B2B packaging opportunities.
- Identify Key Stakeholders
- Determine decision-makers and their priorities.
- Establish relevant metrics for success.
- Calculate the Impact
- Model and compare the different packaging options to understand the impact of cost, carbon or material savings. Our Packaging Comparison Tool can help with this →
- Consider legislation that affects packaging costs:
Essential Partnerships for Success
Circular systems are complex! They have unique requirements for physical and digital infrastructure across the supply chain. No company can run a reuse system in isolation. It takes an ecosystem!
When building your partner network, ask yourself:
- Who will manufacture your reusable packaging? Can you use your existing packaging suppliers, or do you need to find new ones?
- How will you handle reverse logistics?
- What cleaning protocols and partners do you need?
- Which technology solutions will help you track and manage your system?
The Role of Digital Passports
Depending on the type of packaging you choose to reuse, you'll have different Technology needs, but they all come back to a Digital Passport. A Digital Passport consists of a physical item and a unique ID on a machine readable code (e.g. QR code, NFC, RFID, Barcode).
At its core, a Digital Passport creates a unique digital identity for each physical item in your reuse system. It maintains a timestamped record of the item's journey, tracking usage and location throughout its lifecycle. The system is incredibly flexible, allowing you to capture and store customised data about materials, product information, batch codes, process details, and environmental impact.
Benefits:
- Enhanced health and safety management (Batch Codes and Allergens)
- Accurate reuse rate tracking for tax purposes
- Improved customer engagement
- Cost savings through supply chain optimisation
- Real-time data to measure the success of your reuse scheme
We've successfully implemented this technology with Bower Collective, tracking their reusable pouches through our digital passport system. Read the full case study →
Getting Started: Your Action Plan
✅ Evaluate Your Model
- Assess which reuse model best fits your business
- Consider your target market and distribution capabilities
✅ Develop Your Business Case
- Compare reusable vs. single-use options
- Calculate breakeven points
- Consider the environmental impact and cost implications
✅ Build Your Partner Network
- Identify and engage necessary partners
- Establish clear roles and responsibilities
Conclusion
The shift to reusable packaging isn't just a trend - it's the future of sustainable business. And while it might seem like a big step, remember that every successful reuse program started with that first decision to explore something new.
Whether you're just starting to think about reuse or ready to launch your first pilot, the key is to start somewhere. By understanding your options, crunching the numbers, and bringing the right partners along for the journey, you can create a reuse strategy that works for your business, your customers, and our planet.
Ready to take that first step towards reusable packaging? Talk to us →