To think that big companies are neglecting the option of reusing packaging in the fight against our packaging waste?

[FlyingByToo]

I hear lots of companies talking about making their packaging recyclable but I saw a tv programme recently which pointed out that recycling really isn’t enough (even recycling has a carbon footprint!) and that we need to start reusing packaging. I rarely hear companies mention re-use. Also the focus is always on plastic but couldn’t glass jars etc could be reused in the same way milk bottles are?

Does anyone know any companies who do reuse packaging? So far I’ve only heard of:
Milkman
Abel and Cole - they reuse their boxes and some packaging
Waitrose - did a trial at a store where you could take your own container. I don’t know if they intend to roll out further.

Are there any others? And AIBU to think that big companies are neglecting the option of reusing packaging in the fight against our packaging waste?

I think the problem is how would companies get their packaging back from consumer. It's fine for the milkman and able and Cole as they sell direct and deliver/collect to homes. But if I buy a bottle of coke, it's sold from a third party supplier eg Tesco.

I agree, more needs to be done, but the practicality of reusing packaging isn't an easy one to solve.

You can take your own container already to counters at Waitrose.

They have done an experimental trial at one store where they are trading with no packaging and probably need to see how that goes.

Yes I totally get that it’s not easy to solve. When I was a kid we could and did return bottles to shops and they’d give you some money back (not much but we were happy with it as kids). So it’s been done before. If no one takes that first step tho it’ll never happen. A small trial with one product would be a start.

The infrastructure for re-using isn’t in place and would be initially costly to install. Store chains are national/international whereas in the ‘olden days (1950-60’s when re-use started to decline) businesses were more local. There will be issues in regard to legal liability that have to be considered (traceability/storage condition etc). It will cost more and are the public prepared/able to pay more? I think it will happen to some extent, but that time and pressure from customers and government.

*take time

There are talks to start paying people when they return their soft drinks bottles, so that’s a start.

Op do you have a zero waste shop near you? One just opened up in my area and it’s honestly great. We need to start supporting businesses like these to show there is a drive and a need for less packaging and we are willing to vote with our money. I get all my dry goods, spices, herbs, cleaning stuff and shampoo etc from there now.

Barrs in Scotland used to recycle their glass bottles until 2017, you got a 20p deposit back on a bottle costing around £1. They stopped it because it was no longer economically viable.

Lush reuses plastic tubs, you get a free product if you take 5 back.

I imagine the cost of taking back bottles, sterilising, allowing for breakages is more expensive than single use. Unless people want to pay more then it won't happen.

Milk from the milkman is 80p a pint, 2l of milk from a supermarket is £1.10 so you can see why most people choose the latter.

The economic cost of throwaway packaging has to be evaluated and borne by the food producer or this will not change. See AG Barr experience and demise of the glass milk bottle.

In Belgium you take back your empties to the shops, and get a voucher to spend in the store. You are also charged a small amount upfront when you buy beer in cans or bottles for the recycling charge.

I don't do that with glass bottles as it's easier to take them across the road on foot and use the glass recycling containers, rather than stick them in the car and drive them to the nearest supermarket that does recycling of bottles.

I think we've got to a stage now where companies HAVE to do something to make a difference but until they legally have to they will just stick to promoting recycling.

We don't chose what packaging our products come in. It's the manufacturers that decide. So they can make a big difference.
I'm sure Morrisons did a trial of reusable packaging but don't know if anything came of it.