Option 2 – Reuse and Refill – Sustainable Packaging

The following actions, individually or collectively, will contribute to achieving the outcomes of reducing the environmental impacts of Rigid PET non-packaging thru the adoption of reuse and refill formats.

Available Courses of Action

Action 1 – Consider Reusable Packaging Solutions

Action 1 – Consider Reusable Packaging Solutions

Reusable packaging provides an innovative approach to reducing the environmental impact of single use packaging. Although logistics and other operational considerations are frequently identified as a key challenge to adopting reusable packaging, the historical acceptance of reusable packaging is driving a resurgence in exploring this sustainable packaging alternative.

The following use case(s) provide examples of where reusable packaging has been demonstrated for rigid non-PET packaging.

Use Cases

Use Case	Innovation	Application	Release to Market
Friendlier \| Single-Use Takeout	Replace single-use takeout food container with reusable PP container	Institutional Food Service; various retail food products	2020

Supporting Resources

Useful resources to consider as you explore applying one or more of the above actions to rigid non-PET packaging include:

General Information

National Reuse Program Pilot March 2024
Circular Innovation Council
Circular Innovation Council will be designing and delivering a first-of-its-kind national reuse program aimed at eliminating single use plastic waste. This program is supported by a coalition of national grocery retailers including Metro, Sobeys, and Walmart Canada, and with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the City of Ottawa. This will be the largest collaborative reuse program in Canada.

Starting with the delivery of a reusable food container pilot planned for launch in Ottawa in mid 2024, this national program will demonstrate scalable, convenient, and permanent solutions to reducing single use plastic packaging through innovative, collaborative reuse models.
Guidance for Reusable Packaging 2022
Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC)
Identifies key goals and assumptions for desiging more successful reusable packaging programs. Defines reusable packaging, highlights key questions and design criteria for consideration, and provides examples of best practices.
Study on Reuse and Refill of Plastic Packaging: National Ecosystem Scan 2023
CPPThis Canadian study highlights the opportunities to implement reuse and refill systems as a way to reduce the amount of single-use plastics and move towards a more circular economy for plastic packaging.
Reuse – Rethinking Packaging 2019
Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) – New Plastics Economy Initiative
This Guide helps in understanding Reuse models by identifying key benefits, and mapping 69 examples. It includes the evaluation of over 100 initiatives, and interviews with over 50 experts. Descriptions of how different reuse models work, and typical implementation challenges are provided.

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Project	Friendlier \| Single-Use Takeout
Brand(s)		Over 200 food service partners across Ontario, including Compass Group of Canada	Packaged Product(s)	Institutional Food Service; various retail food products
Market(s)		Canada	Release to Market(s)	2020
Manufacturer		Friendlier	Material(s)	Polypropylene container
Summary	Provider reports 12 different container SKUs, allowing for consumer/business convenience and availability. Containers are freezer, fridge and microwave safe; coloured blue to highlight difference from single-use containers. NSF International audit (Gold Standard), which validated standard procedures and critical control points that ensure containers are properly cleaned and sanitized with each reuse. Provider generates reports for its partners showing the total impact that was achieved, showing real-time quantifiable data Cost competitive with single-use alternatives Containers can be branded with removable labels Provider refers to life-cycle assessment ( LCA) that shows Friendlier container breaks-even with functionally comparable single-use plastic packaging after one use. Containers manufactured in Canada, and weight is similar to comparable single-use container. Containers recyclable in Canada; provider has partnership with Ontario-based recycler once containers are retired from service. Reuse system helps prevent litter. Container returns incentivized through a deposit system. Opportunities for further incentives and consumer insights through the mobile app platform.
References