News

Last month, a Wrap-funded trial of reusable packaging for fabric conditioner, backed by names such as Unilever, began at Asda. But will the practice become more commonplace among UK retailers?

YES
In an ideal world more reusable systems would be established, especially in retail packaging. Manufacturing has long seen the benefits of returnable packaging from a cost perspective and this has led to mutually beneficial relationships between supplier and customer, but this rarely extends to retail consumers. Perhaps addressing the balance of incentive against convenience is a key factor.
John Kirkby, creative director, Design Futures, Sheffield Hallam University

MAYBE
The choice between one-trip and multi-trip is market dependent. Returnable glass could work, but would need to be embraced by marketers. Brands that make a specific appeal to the environment are likely adopters. Policymakers need to beware the law of unintended consequences and we would oppose an enforced return to reusable glass if costs encouraged customers to switch materials. This would cause greater environmental damage than leaving the one-trip bottle in place.
Paul McLavin, sales manager, O-I

YES
The move to reuse is a key way to radically reduce the carbon impact of delivering products to customers. The current reusable packaging trial at Asda shows how one lightweight pouch can replace 20 bottles and reduce packaging waste by more than 95%. Additional environmental savings come from transport, secondary packaging and store operations. Consumers are embracing reuse, whether it be refilling water bottles, coffee jars and household trigger cleaners or reusing carrier bags. However, reuse is not possible for all products at the moment, but where it can be adopted it can deliver reductions in waste, environmental impact and save money too.
Peter Skelton, key account manager, Wrap

MAYBE
Reusing packaging is nothing new. To some extent, reuse has been around since the war, but our lifestyles have moved on. The first entry point for reusable packaging is for it to be convenient, but there is also the environment. If a full life-cycle analysis is done that shows it is better for the environment, and consumers accept it, then it would suggest there could be more in the future. But reuse is only one of the three Rs and through the other two – reduce and recycle – we can do a lot to cut waste.
Matt Sykes, UK sales manager, Impress