Publications

The research presented in this report demonstrates that there is no single universally applicable reuse system. Instead, reuse systems should be tailored to the business sector and socio-economic context. The research proposes the transition to reuse, in which reusable packaging can become the new norm. The findings from this study suggest that the transition to reuse systems can begin immediately in settings that require the least infrastructure change, the least new investment, and the least consumer behaviour change, such as closed systems. The review also highlights that the importance of global reuse standards is critical, as the absence of standards inhibits investment and allows only fragmented approaches to persist, thus preventing small businesses from engaging in larger-scale reuse systems. The Global Plastics Treaty presents a key opportunity to lay the foundations of reuse systems. Reuse standards should emphasize health and safety, data collection, and the standardisation of reusable packaging. Furthermore, policy developments should be consumer-focused, aligned with supply chains, and respect the need for a just transition. More broadly, the Global Plastics Treaty can provide a framework for reuse to evolve as a key tool to tackle plastic pollution while building economic, social, and environmental resilience.