ENVIRONMENTAL charity Hubbub is making a number of recommendations to help make reusable food and drink packaging systems work and become mainstream.
The organisation is launching a report, titled Reuse Systems Unpacked, highlighting the challenges and opportunities.
The research was funded by Bunzl plc and involved interviews with 40 organisations and individuals in the ‘sphere’ of reusable food and drink packaging, from start-ups and small-scale trials to big brands and events, as well as individuals working in policy, academia and logistics.
Hubbub also commissioned polling across the UK to gather public opinion on the ‘motivators and barriers’ to people engaging in reuse systems. The survey of 3,000 people shows a clear appetite to cut down on single-use plastics, with 67% of respondents saying they want to reduce the amount of single-use packaging they use when buying food and drink products.
73% said they think more needs to be done to make it easier to use reusable alternatives, while 67% said they’d be open to borrowing and returning a reusable container for groceries.
The research also found that price is the main motivator, with two out of five people saying that being able to use the reusable packaging scheme for no extra cost would encourage them. Earning rewards or discounts for using a scheme, as well as knowing that it reduces waste and is better for the environment than single use packaging, would encourage 38% of respondents.
In terms of barriers, concerns that the packaging might not be clean or hygienic was mentioned by 38% of respondents, followed by thinking it might cost more money (31%) and having to carry or store the packaging until it can be returned (27%).
In light of the research, Hubbub has identified 10 key recommendations:
- Convenience is key: minimise the friction points and fit into people’s current patterns of behaviour.
- Keep the price down: the price needs to be as close as possible to single-use.
- Choose the right incentives: they play an important role to encourage use and returns, but deposits can put people off and rewards can lead to over-complication.
- Integrate logistics: innovation is needed here, such as creating centralised logistics networks in cities, backhauling through existing systems and developing new washing processes.
- Be smart with packaging design: clever design is about more than aesthetics; it integrates tech, encourages returns and reduces the environmental footprint of packaging and transport.
- Understand the lifecycle analysis: a consistent process needs to be established to work out the environmental impact of reuse systems in a way that’s accurate and comparable.
- Collaborate: a system working across multiple brands, locations and platforms will be more convenient and less confusing for users.
- Consider the role of tech: tech can simplify payments, deposit refunds, rewards and tracking usage, but it can complicate the user journey and put off some audiences.
- Offer reassurance: the public have concerns around hygiene which can be addressed through a robust washing process supported by good communications.
- Support through policy: a range of potential policies, standards, incentives and subsidies would support the growth of reusable systems.
Alex Robinson, CEO of Hubbub, said, “To effectively tackle the issue of packaging waste, reuse must become mainstream. For this to happen, it’s crucial that companies across the food and drink industry, along with policymakers, work together and learn from each other.
“The ‘Reuse Systems Unpacked’ report is the first of its kind and brings together the findings from existing schemes and systems, along with insight into public attitudes towards reusable packaging. It’s clear the public are hungry for change. We hope this report helps to accelerate progress across the food and drink industry and drives us quickly towards a society where reusable food and drink packaging is the norm.”
James Pitcher, head of sustainability at Bunzl plc, added, “It’s been a long-held mantra of Bunzl that the life of packaging does not end at the point of sale and our ambition doesn’t either. We have been using our scale and unique position at the centre of the supply chain to work with our customers and suppliers to lead the industry towards a more sustainable approach to packaging.
“To move away from a linear mindset to a more circular one we need to understand the opportunities and challenges involved, which is why we’re pleased to have supported this work. The circular economy has to go mass market to be effective and research like this means we’ll understand what’s collectively required to reach a macro-solution sooner.”
Daphna Nissenbaum, CEO of compostable packaging specialist TIPA, said, “This report rightly identifies that the planet can do without plastic cups and straws, but when food is being transported and stored, we will need flexible films. That means will always be some areas where single-use, but sustainable, alternatives to traditional plastic will continue to be needed. In those instances, compostable packaging, which decomposes naturally with food waste via microorganisms, is an alternative industry should embrace.
“There is no one silver bullet solution to solving the plastic crisis. Compostable packaging is the natural solution for plugging gaps recycling and reusing cannot fill.”
To read the report, visit www.hubbub.org.uk/reuse-systems-unpacked.
