KEY stakeholders attending the second Global Reuse Summit have urged the UK Government to support reusable packaging with ‘robust’ policy.
The Bristol event, hosted by environmental charity City to Sea in partnership with Ecosurety, discussed the actions needed to scale up reusable packing. Over 950 guests from across the world including Australia, Singapore, Norway, and the USA took part in the summit.
Representatives from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Everyday Plastic and Greenpeace were in attendance as speakers discussed the potential of reusable packaging as a solution to the single-use plastic packaging ‘crisis’, as well as global market opportunities created by reuse economies.
A panel featuring Alejandra Warren (co-founder of Plastic Free Future) discussed examples of reuse systems in other nations from which the UK can learn lessons and emphasised the need for systemic change, increased funding, and a shift in public perception.
Celia Rennesson (Réseau Vrac et Réemploi) shared how the development of reuse in France has been boosted by the allocation of 5% of EPR fees into the infrastructure and communications to support the transition to reuse. Attendees of the conference including NGOs, academics and businesses, called for the UK Government to follow suit.
Other highlights included a discussion with James Bull (head of packaging, Tesco), Lowelle Bryan (senior specialist at WRAP), and Catherine Conway (member of the DEFRA circular economy taskforce), and audience members, focusing on the need for an aligned vision and the development of a solid plan to roll out reuse with a clear legislative pathway. Catherine Conway reminded the conference that the UK Government has invested in waste management in the past, such as the roll out of kerbside collection which improved recycling rates.
Business leaders including Safia Qureshi (founder, Club Zero) and Stuart Chidley (co-founder of Beauty Kitchen and Reposit), outlined the business case for reuse systems.
Coinciding with the summit, a new briefing paper titled ‘Global Insights on Packaging Reuse for the UK’ was launched, examining successful reuse models. Prepared by Eunomia for City to Sea, the paper identifies key requirements for a successful transition to reusable packaging systems including mandatory sector and product-specific targets for reuse and refill and industry technical and quality standards to ensure compliance and best practice.
Jane Martin, CEO of City to Sea, said, “Today’s summit demonstrates that businesses are committed individually, and in collaboration with others, to bring reuse a step closer. In every single discussion the case was made for policy makers to support industry with clear and timely legislation supporting reuse. It was incredibly inspiring to see the brightest minds in our industry – and from all around the world – coming together to disrupt the status quo and to accelerate the transition to the new reuse economy.”
