PET – from recycling champion to recycling & reuse champion: state of play 2022

This supports the ultimate goal of the EU to be climate neutral by 2050. Over the last decades, PET made progress to reduce weight of packaging (bottles are now significantly - up to 50% lighter than they used to be). PET bottles are recycled, and the recycling ratio is progressing year on year. Now, PET packaging can in some cases also play a vital role by avoiding the use of material through reuse systems. The following state of play document was developed by the Petcore Europe Reuse Working Group to show the potential PET packaging has in terms of reuse and how reuse solutions can complement single-use recyclable packaging in a circular economy of PET in Europe.

In the long-term a smart mix of different systems and types of packaging is needed, depending on the characteristics of each market, reuse can play a more or less important role. In several EU countries, for example in Germany or Belgium, to give only two of many examples, single-use PET beverage bottles are collected and recycled at high rates which enables closed-loop recycling with minimal environmental footprint. The overall objective should be to use packaging in the most circular way possible while keeping the environmental impact as low and the packaged goods as safe as possible. Any shift to reuse needs to be preceded by extensive impact assessments and must be a managed transition considering the many changes required to the different supply chains.

Today, a policy shift towards reuse can be observed in several EU member states with measures diverging strongly between countries which could endanger the EU single market. In certain member states such as Germany reuse already plays a more important role than in others and not all regions can move at the same speed to implement reuse solutions. However, if EU countries implement policies to foster reusable packaging, this should be done in consolidation and with cross-border alignment.

The PET industry supports the scale-up of reuse systems in case they show clear environmental benefits based on scientific analysis. We acknowledge that in certain cases reuse solutions can complement single-use recyclable packaging. PET packaging has an inherent potential in terms of reuse which is already showcased today by several best practice examples in- and outside the EU. A clear and forward-looking regulatory environment is essential for the road towards more reuse and recycling. Here are our recommendations to help achieve it:

• The EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050. PET packaging can play a vital role not only through recycling but also by reducing the weight of packaging and the introduction of reuse systems. Due to its excellent environmental performance, PET should not be overlooked when implementing reuse solutions or setting standards regarding reusable packaging.

• In the long-term a smart mix of different systems and types of packaging is needed, depending on the characteristics of each market, reuse can play a more or less important role. The overall objective should be to use packaging in the most circular way possible while keeping the environmental impact as low and the packaged goods as safe as possible.

• Any shift to reuse needs to be a managed transition considering the changes required to the supply chains aiming for the best performing solutions from an environmental perspective. Extensive impact assessments should precede any decisions on EU or Member State level.

• Even though the PET industry supports the scale-up of reuse systems, undifferentiated reuse quotas should be looked at objectively and with caution. Legislation should be evidence-based and always favour the least complex, most environmental-friendly, most recyclable packaging solution adapted to the local markets. A great number of elements must be looked at, such as weight of the packaging, sales channel, transport distance and efficiency, water use for cleaning purposes, recycled material content etc. Any analysis needs to be conducted on a case-by-case basis and most probably the ideal solution lies in the combination of single-use and refillable PET bottles.

• Optimized harmonized solutions regarding reuse policies all over Europe should be recommended to safeguard the EU single market. If EU countries implement policies to foster reusable packaging, this should be done in in consolidation and with cross-border alignment and by consideration of lifecycle assessments.

• Deposit Refund Systems (DRS) for single-use beverage containers create good pre-conditions for the growth of refillables and single-use recyclable containers. Such systems need to be tailored to national and/or local specificities, but they must be designed according to a set of universal principles and elements to ensure their effectiveness and cost-efficiency.

• Finally, consumer safety and hygiene remain the highest priority. Reuse systems need to take this factor into account, especially when it comes to refill on the go solutions. According to GDB, who has decades of experience with refillable bottles, the industrial processes for cleaning and sterilising refillable PET bottles (Return at drop-off point) are established worldwide and are considered safe.

          To access to the full report: "Reuse Working Group - State of Play 2022".