From single-use to reusable
Switch from single-use to reusable packaging. Using the packaging multiple times is an effective measure against littering.
How?
Consumption in public spaces is often based on single use, but as usage increases, so does littering.
There are already requirements in place for businesses that servs food and drinks in single-use packaging to offer customers reusable cups and food containers.
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s website (in Swedish only)
If you are subject to the requirement to provide reusable containers and cups, you also have a responsibility to provide information, ensuring that more consumers choose the reusable option and understand why it is offered.
The Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation’s website (in Swedish only)
When designing reusable packaging, it is important that it is clearly stated that the packaging should be used several times, and should not be thrown away after one use. The design can help increase both the actual and perceived value, which reduces the risk of littering. People take care of what they think is valuable.
Good examples
From single-use to reusable
This mug is part of a reuse system, which extends the life of the packaging and reduces packaging waste. The design and material clearly signals that the mug is intended for multiple use, encouraging consumers to reuse it instead of throwing it away. By reducing the need for single-use packaging, the system helps decrease material consumption and the risk of littering.
Why is it important?
Single-use packaging generates large amounts of waste in public spaces and easily ends up astray. By choosing packaging that can be used multiple times, both consumption and the risk of littering will decrease.
The single-use plastics directive and the packaging ordinance contain requirements for reduced consumption, reduced amounts of waste and a transition from single-use to multiple-use. The purpose of this legislation is to minimize resource use, promote a more circular economy, and reduce littering.
To achieve an environmental benefit by switching from single-use to reusable packaging, a well-functioning reuse system is necessary so that the packaging actually circulates and is used multiple times. The number of times a reusable packaging must be used before it has a lower carbon footprint than a single-use packaging depends on the context and can range from two times to several hundred. However, the calculations do not take into account the environmental cost of litter or how it is taken care of at “end of life”.
