Redefining packaging standards: The rise of reusability

As leaders in the manufacturing sector, we have a duty to not only produce high-quality products but also to safeguard our planet. An essential part of this is to review and reconsider our packaging practices. Today, we delve into the opportunities presented by reusable packaging, and why we shouldn't be swayed by misleading industry-funded studies.

Last November, the European Union tabled a draft regulation that proposed a shift in our approach to packaging waste. The proposal, currently under review by the European Parliament and EU member states, aims to phase out single-use packaging in dine-in restaurants by 2030 and encourage the adoption of reusable packaging for takeaway food.

However, the proposal has been met with resistance from the paper packaging industry, which funded a series of studies suggesting that reuse targets could escalate plastic use, water consumption, and CO2 emissions. But are these arguments as solid as they seem?

Jean-Pierre Schweitzer of the European Environmental Bureau urges us to scrutinize these studies with a critical eye, considering who funded the research and whether it has been peer-reviewed. As he notes, many of these studies originate from the food packaging sector.

Furthermore, Schweitzer pointed out that reusable packaging often outperforms single-use alternatives in terms of environmental impact. For instance, reusable packaging shows its superiority over single-use packaging after just 15 uses. Not only does it reduce emissions by 54%, but it also has additional environmental benefits that are often overlooked in lifecycle assessments, such as preserving biodiversity, minimizing exposure to chemicals, reducing microplastics, and decreasing land use.

Schweitzer posits that embracing reuse provides a considerable opportunity to enhance the sustainability of packaging and substantially reduce waste.

The paper industry and some policymakers have criticized the EU's impact assessment study, which accompanied its packaging regulation. However, Wolfgang Trunk, policy officer at the Commission’s environment directorate, suggests that this criticism often stems from those who stand to lose from a shift to reusable packaging.

One country where the shift towards reusable packaging has made significant strides is Germany. The German Environment Agency (UBA) has published fact sheets* highlighting the success of Germany's scheme to promote reuse.

According to Bettina Rechenberg from the UBA, the adoption of reusable packaging could result in a 10% reduction in packaging use. Moreover, she asserts that in many cases, reusable packaging systems have proven to be more environmentally friendly than their single-use counterparts.

However, for this shift to be successful, a clear definition of reusable packaging is needed, along with an obligation for retailers to offer reusable packaging for all food and beverages sold. Germany's approach also advocates for a compulsory registration in a national packaging register to ensure transparency and fair competition.

Given these findings, it's clear that reusable packaging is not just a trend, but a necessity for the future of manufacturing. This shift presents an opportunity to reduce waste, cut carbon emissions, and foster a more sustainable industry. As leaders in the sector, it's time to embrace these changes and lead the way towards a more sustainable future.

*https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/topics/uba-publishes-fact-sheets-on-proposal-of-eu