The New ERA General Assembly held in the stunning Townhall of Haar on October 11 & 12, 2023,  marked another transformative chapter in our journey. Over 30 dedicated members,  project leaders, and passionate advocates, including local authorities like Andreas Bukowski (mayor of Haar) gathered to share knowledge, ideas, and shape the future of reuse across Europe.

The New ERA General Assembly held in the stunning Townhall of Haar on October 11 & 12, 2023,  marked another transformative chapter in our journey. Over 30 dedicated members,  project leaders, and passionate advocates, including local authorities like Andreas Bukowski (mayor of Haar) gathered to share knowledge, ideas, and shape the future of reuse across Europe.

On January 23, 2024, New ERA held its first annual General Assembly online, bringing together members and leaders from across the reuse and refill industry to discuss crucial topics and set the strategic direction for the coming year. The meeting, which included pioneering members such as Jean Bouteille, Bumerang, reCIRCLE, fritz-kola, SEA ME, Recup/Rebowl, and Opopop, focused on organisational matters, advocacy strategies, and financial planning to ensure New ERA’s continued growth and impact.

Key discussions included the progress on registration of New ERA in the EU Transparency Register, aimed at strengthening its advocacy efforts within European institutions. Members were updated on the current composition of the Board of Directors and the upcoming call for new candidates in the spring.

The assembly also highlighted the launch of Planet Reuse, a dedicated platform for members to exchange information and collaborate on key issues. The creation of working groups, particularly one focused on lobbying activities related to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), was proposed to boost member participation in advocacy.

Financial planning was another central topic, with discussions on the membership fee structure and potential funding opportunities through organisations like the Plastic Solutions Fund. The meeting concluded with preparations for a welcome event for new members on January 23, 2024, and a roadmap for the continued development of New ERA’s communications. 

These decisions and action items reflect New ERA’s commitment to advancing sustainable practices and reinforcing its role as a key player in the circular economy movement. 

On April 19, 2023, New ERA held its second General Assembly, bringing together key stakeholders from across the reuse and refill industry. The meeting was packed with critical discussions aimed at driving the association’s goals forward in the context of advancing circularity and reusable systems in Europe.

Key topics on the agenda included updates on PPWR advocacy, where members discussed the current status of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) legislative process and reviewed New ERA’s stance. The assembly focused on preparing key amendments and strategies to push for stronger reuse targets, enhanced recyclability measures, and increased involvement of reusable packaging in deposit return schemes. Members also discussed building a positive narrative around reuse through a Pan-European campaign, which launched during the EU Green Week in June 2023. Find out more on our Reuse Campaign. 

The event featured an interactive session on the future of reuse and refill systems, focusing on standardisation, data traceability, and consumer engagement strategies to scale reusable packaging across Europe. New opportunities for collaboration were also discussed, including the launch of the R3PACK project, which aims to overcome barriers to scaling reuse systems at the European level.

With the modifications to New ERA’s statutes and the election of new board members, the assembly set the stage for stronger governance and further growth. The next steps were outlined, emphasising continued advocacy and collaboration across the sector​