Reuse
‘Reuse’ is the second of the 3 ‘R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and in the context of the waste hierarchy, should be prioritised over recycling.
Basically, Reuse means using the same container multiple times – the old school way
Rather than the modern phenomenon of using a container once and then throwing it away. Reusing and refilling means that packaging remains in the system and can be used again and again.
For instance, choosing reuse over single use means no plastic is discarded and a new container does not have to be manufactured and shipped for the next serving of food or drink. Meaning the whole process is way more efficient in terms of energy, materials and waste generation.
Why recycling isn’t the only answer
While recycling plays a crucial role in waste management and we need to scale up our recycling systems, that alone cannot solve the plastic crisis.
The current scale of plastic production and consumption far exceeds the capacity of recycling facilities, leading to a significant portion of plastic waste ending up in landfills or incinerated.
We need to reduce the amount we produce instead of trying to recycle more.
It’s also worth remembering that not all plastics are recyclable, and many are downcycled into lower-quality products with limited market demand, ultimately ending up as waste.
Lastly, recycling comes with an eco-cost. The recycling process itself consumes energy and resources, contributing to carbon emissions and environmental impacts. And this is just the theory of why it isn’t the answer. In reality, recycling is highly flawed as a result of inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent recycling practices, and low consumer participation rates.
Reuse solutions prevent waste upstream and are therefore fundamentally different from so-called downstream solutions, such as recycling, incineration, or disposal. Downstream solutions deal with waste once it has been generated by the system.
What are Reuse systems and how do they help?
Reuse systems offer a transformative solution to single-use packaging by reducing virgin material use, retaining packaging in the economy, diverting waste packaging away from landfill and incineration, and reducing pollution and emissions.
If executed successfully, reuse systems can create huge benefits to society – not only by preventing plastic pollution impacting the environment and our oceans, but also by reducing the costs associated with managing waste and supporting the societies that invest in them.
Investment and growth of reuse systems is going to be critical to driving the transition away from our current disposable single-use culture.
Environmental: Reuse models can help reduce plastic pollution and also generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions than single-use. When used frequently enough across their lifecycle, reusable products have lower environmental impacts than single-use products. The higher the number of repeat uses of a product, the lower the environmental impact
Economic: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that replacing just 20% of single-use plastic packaging with reusable alternatives offers an opportunity worth at least USD 10 billion. Reuse models can help to encourage customer loyalty, packaging savings, and easier data analysis.
Social: If introduced at scale, reuse systems can reduce the need for waste management systems such as incineration which is shown to have a harmful impact on the communities where they are located.