Reusing PET packaging can play an important role in the EU’s goal to be climate neutral by 2050 and complement recycling of single-use packaging, according to a report from industry association Petcore Europe (Brussels; https://www.petcore-europe.org).

The paper, PET – from recycling champion to recycling and reuse champion; state of play 2022, was created by Petcore Europe’s Reuse Working Group to show the potential for PET packaging. The report covers primary packaging in the business-to-consumer market.

The industry association said because of its excellent environmental performance, PET should not be overlooked when implementing reuse solutions or setting standards regarding reusable packaging.

However, it noted that even though the PET industry supports the scale-up of reuse systems, undifferentiated quotas should be looked at “objectively and with caution. Legislation should be evidence-based and always favour the least complex, most environmental-friendly, and most recyclable packaging solution.”

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Many elements must be considered, including packaging weight, sales channels, transportation distance and efficiency, the amount of water used for cleaning, and recycled content. In addition, any analysis needs to be conducted on a case-by-case basis, with the ideal solution most probably comprising a combination of single-use and refillable PET bottles, the organisation said.

It added that extensive impact assessments should precede any decisions at EU or member-state level for implementing policies to foster reusable packaging, and these policies should be optimised and harmonised across the bloc. In addition, a “clear and forward-looking regulatory environment is essential”.

The association pointed out that a policy shift towards reuse can be seen in several member states, although measures diverged strongly between countries. Reuse was highlighted as playing an important role in Germany, and France, Austria, and Spain were also referenced with regard to their packaging reuse targets up to 2030.

Petcore Europe also mentioned the use of Deposit Refund Systems (DRS) as creating good pre-conditions for the growth of refillable and single-use recyclable containers.

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The report cites several examples of best practice for reusable PET packaging, including PET-refillable systems from central purchasing association of the German mineral water industry, the Genossenschaft Deutscher Brunnen‘s (GDB, Bonn; www.gdb.de), German grocer Kaufland’s (Schwäbisch Gmünd; www.kaufland.de) in-store stations where customers can refill their rPET bottles, and drinks giant Coca-Cola’s (Atlanta, Georgia, USA; www.coca-colacompany.com) reuse model in Brazil.