MSGID: 1:317/3 6476cdab   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    Reusable packaging revolution is close    
      
     Date:   
         May 30, 2023   
     Source:   
         University of Portsmouth   
     Summary:   
         A detailed plan to transform product packaging and significantly   
         cut plastic production and pollution has been developed by   
         researchers. The study comes as government representatives meet   
         in Paris to negotiate a legally binding global plastics treaty   
         with a mandate to end plastic pollution.   
      
      
         Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email   
      
   ==========================================================================   
   FULL STORY   
   ==========================================================================   
   A detailed plan to transform product packaging and significantly cut   
   plastic production and pollution has been developed by researchers.   
      
   The study comes as government representatives meet in Paris to negotiate   
   a legally binding global plastics treaty with a mandate to end plastic   
   pollution.   
      
   The research, published today by the University of Portsmouth's Global   
   Plastics Policy Centre, commissioned by the Break Free From Plastic   
   movement, consolidates 320 articles and papers, plus 55 new interviews   
   with reuse experts from around the world [1], to suggest a universal   
   definition of reuse systems and, for the first time, assess how all   
   nations can move away from throw-away packaging.   
      
   Packaging is responsible for 40% of all plastic in the EU, and plastic   
   packaging waste is set to grow by 46% by 2030, according to the European   
   Commission. The 10 most commonly found single-use plastic items on   
   European beaches, alongside fishing gear, represent 70% of all marine   
   litter in the EU, it says. Reuse systems could cut plastic pollution by   
   30 percent by 2040.   
      
   The study found:   
       * A phased approach is needed to deliver economy-wide change from   
       single-   
         use to reusable packaging systems that can significantly   
         reduce impacts on our climate, environment, biodiversity and   
         health. Many reuse systems are already developed, proven and   
         scalable. Fundamental to true reuse systems is packaging on loan   
         to consumers that is returned multiple times until a sustainability   
         'breakeven point' is achieved.   
      
       * The upcoming global plastic treaty, being developed in Paris   
       this week,   
         is seen as a major opportunity for policymakers to support the   
         upscaling of reuse systems, limit virgin plastic production,   
         set standards and boost infrastructure. Virgin plastic reduction   
         targets are 25 years behind carbon emissions targets, the reuse   
         experts interviewed said.   
      
       * Next generation packaging should mostly be standardised,   
       stackable and   
         electronically tagged. It must be durable, lightweight, washable and   
         non- toxic, but no one material is best suited to all situations.   
      
       * The path to mass adoption of reuse systems should roll out in four   
         phases, the authors say, starting with large venues such as sports   
         arenas and music festivals, which have breakthrough potential to   
         build public acceptance, a challenge identified by three quarters   
         (74%) of the reuse experts interviewed.   
      
       * Delivery firms will have a major role in the return and reuse   
       economy,   
         collecting used packaging while making deliveries.   
      
   The study envisages a world where all packaging is chipped or tagged and   
   can be dropped into smart bins, cleaned and pooled at centralised 'hubs'   
   before being delivered back to factories and retailers. Reuse systems   
   will vary by sector, but the researchers think the transition will likely   
   occur first in cities, where infrastructure is more adaptable. Widespread   
   change will take time, the researchers concede, but closed environments   
   like schools, hospitals, events and food courts are relatively easy to   
   shift to zero waste packaging, as is the drinks sector, where some reuse   
   brands already achieve high return rates.   
      
   Harder will be the fast food sector where packaging often ends up   
   scattered.   
      
   'Rentable packaging' could help, where customers order through apps and   
   are charged a small fee if they do not return the packaging.   
      
   Most (82%) experts interviewed worry about higher costs and infrastructure   
   change of reusable packaging, while many are also concerned about   
   hygiene and loss of brand identity. Reuse supporters interviewed strongly   
   criticise governments for lacking vision and over-investing in recycling   
   and incineration, which are often barriers to reuse.   
      
   Director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre at the University of   
   Portsmouth, Professor Steve Fletcher, said: "This study is a significant   
   evidence based global assessment of how we can swap wasteful single use   
   packaging for reuse systems. It shows that there is no one-size-fits-all   
   packaging material or system for reuse, but we know that it has to fit   
   seamlessly into people's lives and that has huge untapped potential to   
   end plastic pollution. What we need now is a clear vision for reuse and   
   the right support to mainstream it."  Break Free From Plastic global   
   coordinator Von Hernandez said: "The scourge of single-use packaging   
   continues to grow at a pace beyond the capacities of existing waste   
   management systems. Prevention is key; ramping up reuse systems is the   
   most sensible approach to replacing single use plastics and dramatically   
   cut plastic production. The plastics treaty discussions this week must   
   lay the groundwork for this transformation."  Tiza Mafira, Executive   
   Director Gerakan Indonesia Diet Kantong Plastik, said: "It is clear that   
   reuse is much more than simply packaging, it is a system that needs all   
   players in a global supply chain to take part. That's why reuse needs   
   to be right at the heart of the plastic treaty discussions this week,   
   so that the operational nuts and bolts can be agreed and reuse can thrive   
   and scale."  The European Commission recently announced fresh laws against   
   the "constantly growing source of waste" from packaging and a "steep   
   decline" in reuse rates, promising support for reuse systems. Boosting   
   reuse could create more than 600,000 jobs by 2030, it says. Progress in   
   Europe could influence the global treaty talks, campaigners say.   
      
   This report is available here: https://plasticspolicy.port.ac.uk/research/   
   making-reuse-reality and https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/reuse   
       * RELATED_TOPICS   
             o Earth_&_Climate   
                   # Environmental_Issues # Environmental_Policy #   
                   Recycling_and_Waste # Global_Warming   
             o Science_&_Society   
                   # Environmental_Policies # Land_Management #   
                   Resource_Shortage # Funding_Policy   
       * RELATED_TERMS   
             o United_Nations_Framework_Convention_on_Climate_Change o   
             Pollution o Air_pollution o Energy_development o Water_pollution   
             o Eutrophication o Biodegradation o Law   
      
   ==========================================================================   
   Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Portsmouth. Note:   
   Content may be edited for style and length.   
      
      
   ==========================================================================   
      
      
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/05/230530125450.htm   
      
   --- up 1 year, 13 weeks, 1 day, 10 hours, 50 minutes   
    * Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)   
   SEEN-BY: 15/0 106/201 114/705 123/120 153/7715 218/700 226/30 227/114   
   SEEN-BY: 229/110 112 113 307 317 400 426 428 470 664 700 291/111 292/854   
   SEEN-BY: 298/25 305/3 317/3 320/219 396/45   
   PATH: 317/3 229/426