Planet Reuse debuts “first European online platform” to unite packaging stakeholders

20 Sep 2022 --- Planet Reuse, a network for accelerating the implementation and scaling of reusable packaging models, has been officially launched. First conceptualized by the Netherlands Institute for Sustainable Packaging (KIDV) over a year ago, the platform was unveiled in Berlin, Germany two weeks ago.

Dubbing itself as the “first European online platform” to bring together professionals to connect, learn and collaborate on reusable packaging, the Planet Reuse platform is a tool that allows working in the field of reusable packaging to exchange thoughts and proposals and refine their positions when necessary.

It allows stakeholders to ensure that EU and national decision-makers are well informed about what needs to happen and how to legislate to enable a large-scale transition to reusable packaging

Planet Reuse is organizing its first community call on the 22nd of this month, aiming to reach out to packaging stakeholders to co-create the platform, get concrete tips to manage business expectations and grow the network.

Planet Reuse is organizing its first community call on the 22nd of this month.“Highly dysfunctional” packaging world
The essential features of the online initiative, such as dedicated group discussions, ensure the different systems are compatible, inclusive, efficient, convenient and open.

“Last summer, we discussed how the transition from single-use packaging to reusable packaging could be accelerated,” says Marcel Keuenhof, outreach, funding and founding manager at Planet Reuse.

“For example, by increasing the visibility of reuse solutions and improving access to knowledge and tools. But the added value, we concluded, lies in bringing professionals together at the European level and enabling them to work together. That led to the creation of Planet Reuse.”

PackagingInsights speaks to Zero Waste Europe (ZWE), a Planet Reuse partner, to better understand what the platform has to offer regarding packaging reusability.

Nathan Dufour, consumption and production program coordinator and in charge of the Planet Reuse project for ZWE, says: “The partnership between ZWE and Planet Reuse is quite a natural one based on the following shared observation: The world of packaging is highly dysfunctional, generating shocking amounts of still largely unrecyclable plastic waste of course, but also all types of materials.”

Community building platform 
According to Dufour, the partners at Planet Reuse are convinced that there can only be systemic solutions to systemic problems. The platform provides a tool to take collaborations to the next level by accompanying and helping users to develop a shared vision of what a world of packaging based on reusability will look like.

“ZWE’s involvement in this project is based on a belief that a community building platform such as Planet Reuse will help accelerate the necessary convergence of key stakeholders around the essential parameters upon which a well functioning reuse infrastructure must be built and spread across Europe,” says Dufour.

Keuenhof calls Planet Reuse a great tool to get inspired, increase the visibility of reusable systems and obtain new members in the community.

“The technical part is finished and functioning. Now it’s time to develop the community further,” says Keuenhof.

“We are using the momentum: new legislation and regulations such as the Single Use Plastics Directive, developments in deposit systems, the call for circularity and consumers who no longer want plastic soup and litter. This all calls for action. With Planet Reuse, we can accelerate the implementation of reusable packaging on a European level.”The partners at Planet Reuse are convinced that there can only be systemic solutions to systemic problems.

The reusability agenda
Dufour opines that it needs to work in systems to make reusable packaging work at scale, efficiently and inclusively across Europe.

“Such systems require basic features (some would call them standards, or essential requirements) that are accepted by all, be it for the packaging itself but also for the infrastructure that helps its collection, transportation, washing and labeling.”

To allow for more significant volumes and therefore reduced costs per unit of packaging and environmental efficiency, ZWE and others recommend, for instance, that well-managed pool systems run such systems.

“Reuse infrastructure should not create monopolies but rather be inclusive of the best solutions out there as well as allow for new players to join the system when ready and at reasonable costs,” Dufour concludes.

By Radhika Sikaria