Study: Reusable packaging lowers emissions compared to single-use

Reusable packaging options could produce less emissions than single-use for some types of takeaway packaging, as long as collection, return, and washing systems are efficient, according to a study published on Tuesday (5 September).

The research was conducted by consultancy Eunomia and commissioned by campaign group Zero Waste Europe in partnership with non-profit group Reloop and Norwegian company TOMRA, which provides advanced collection and sorting systems.

It comes amid a fierce battle of narratives over reuse targets in the EU’s draft packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR), which aims to have all packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030.

The law, tabled in November last year by the European Commission, also introduces targets of 20% and 10%, respectively, for takeaway drinks and food to come in reusable or refillable packaging by 2030.

But while they are supported by environmental groups and the left wing of the European Parliament, those on the right and in the industry are more sceptical.

According to Zero Waste Europe, the study confirms the relevance of switching from single-use packaging to reusable options.

“As institutional negotiators are gearing up for the negotiations of the packaging rules in the EU, we count on them to acknowledge this potential by mandating ambitious reuse targets,” said Aline Maigret, head of policy at ZWE.

Reuse works for cups, bowls and burger boxes

Eunomia’s research looked at the emissions of reusable takeaway packaging in a centralised system in 2030, when the first PPWR reuse targets will come into force, and EU countries are expected to have more electrified transport and decarbonised energy.

It found reusable cups, burger boxes, and bowls would have lower greenhouse gas emissions than single-use options, while pizza boxes would require more innovation to be effective.

For instance, if 92% of bowls are returned, and each is reused 13 times, the emissions would be lower than those from a single-use paper bowl. Meanwhile, if 97% of burger boxes are returned for reuse, and each one is reused 30 times, the emissions would be lower than those from a single-use box.

However, “the case is weaker for reusable pizza and sushi boxes”, which will need higher return and reuse rates to match single-use options.

“The extent to which carbon benefits could be realised differs by each container type, with the strongest case for reusable cups,” said Andy Grant from Eunomia Research & Consulting.

“There is still work to do for larger and heavier containers, such as pizza boxes, which, as things stand, will be difficult to justify for reuse and will require more innovations in design to find their place,” he added.

Alongside the need for further innovation, Eunomia emphasises the shift to reuse cannot happen “without thinking beyond simply swapping one packaging type for another” and found that the system “must be designed and implemented well”.

“Unlocking the potential of smart reuse lies in crafting systems that harness our collective design experience, optimising processes from design to deposit return, embracing reverse logistics, and perfecting the art of washing,” said Clarissa Morawski from Reloop, a non-profit group that works to bring about the transition to a circular economy.

Industry warns against plastic surge

Politicians and industry have been sceptical about the reuse targets proposed by the European Commission, warning they could negatively impact the environment and damage businesses.

“Of course, the idea of reuse seems like the obvious solution. But it’s more complicated than that,” McDonald’s executive vice president Jon Banner told journalists in Brussels earlier this year, adding that such schemes would mean additional costs for the sector.

To be economically and environmentally viable, “a reusable cup, for example, would need to be returned and reused 50 to 100 times,” he explained.

Earlier this year, McDonald’s commissioned a study by consulting firm Kearney that found higher reuse targets would lead to a surge in plastics to replace the paper bags, wrappers, or pizza boxes currently used in takeaway restaurants.

The study estimated that, for dine-in consumption, plastic packaging waste would increase by up to 300%, while it would increase by 1,500% for takeaway consumption.

The debate about reuse is likely to be one of the major points of contention around the PPWR. Lawmakers and EU countries are currently debating the law ahead of negotiations between the two of them that would agree on the final law.

[Edited by Frédéric Simon/Alice Taylor]

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