NEW research released by environmental charity City to Sea has revealed 72% of UK consumers want to see more reusable, refillable and returnable options.
The survey of 2,004 adults also shows that nearly half (46%) of the British public want to see a charge introduced on single-use packaging, similar to the carrier bag levy introduced a decade ago.
The research comes just weeks after the Global Reuse Summit, organised by City to Sea, where over 950 policymakers, retailers, businesses and packaging specialists called on the government to support reusable packaging systems through ‘robust’ policy frameworks.
58% of survey respondents stated they have endeavoured to cut back on single-use packaging in the last 12 months.
Despite strong support for sustainable alternatives, City to Sea said systemic barriers remain. 25% of respondents cited a lack of available options, while 20% reported a lack of reusable and refillable options for their preferred brands. 52% said they’re confused with the language used to describe sustainable initiatives, while only 36% felt comfortable asking for a reusable bottle to be refilled in a café, restaurant or pub when they haven’t made a purchase.
The survey revealed several opportunities for retailers and brands, with 76% reporting they’d be likely to use refill or reusable packaging for food cupboard items such as pasta, rice, cereals and coffee. And 69% stated they would use refillable options for drinks, including juice and spirits.
 Jane Martin, CEO of City to Sea, said, “Following decisive action against wet wipes and single-use plastic cutlery and plates over the last two years, these last 10 months have felt slow on plastic action.
“With EPR finally ironed out and a DRS on the way, the government has a clear opportunity to not just ban some of the most polluting single-use plastic items but incentivise reusable packaging to help consumers make the sustainable switches they desperately want to do.”
The full report can be viewed online here: https://www.citytosea.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Attitudes-and-Behaviours-Towards-Reuse-in-the-UK-2025.pdf
