7th European ReUse-Conference - The shift towards reusable packaging: policies and best practice

The European Union has decided to ban single-use plastic items like cutlery and straws from 2021 onwards. Up to 500,000 tons of European plastic waste end up in our oceans each year, severely damaging our ecosystems. The Single-Use Plastics Directive is a first step towards reducing these tremendous amounts.

In practice, bans and reduction targets need to go hand in hand with a shift towards reusable packaging. Reuse systems protect natural resources and prevent packaging waste. For decades, refillable beverage and reusable transportation packaging systems have been demonstrating how a real circular economy works.

The Conference will try to examine how reuse systems can be successfully implemented and discuss policies that can further push reusable packaging in Europe with political and business experts.

Preliminary program:

• Key notes by high-level representatives from the EU Commission, the EU Parliament and the Council of the EU. Topics:
  • Status quo and challenges of reusable beverage and transport packaging systems in Europe
  • Understanding the system conditions for effective reusable packaging pooling
  • Success stories from reuse systems all over Europe and beyond

• Panel discussions:
  • How to promote reuse systems in Europe – policies and economic instruments
  • Binding targets for reusable packaging
  • Reusable and refillable award for best practice cases in Europe