Publication Period: 2024

Today is World Refill Day and we are surrounded by unnecessary single-use plastic. The signatories of this open letter are calling on governments globally to protect the planet from plastic pollution by setting legally-binding and time-bound targets to increase the amount of reusable packaging on the market.

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Today, between 40 and 50% of plastics are destined for packaging, being also the category of products that ends up leaked into the environment. This means this sector is one that needs to be prioritized for having an effective impact in reducing plastic pollution. In this sense, New ERA advocates for the inclusion of policies promoting reuse and refill systems for packaging within the treaty.

Reusable transport packaging stands as a proven solution embraced by forward-thinking companies across various sectors. With established norms ensuring safety and functionality, coupled with its significant positive environmental impact, the case for its widespread adoption is compelling. It is already seamlessly integrated into supply chains, spanning from industrial applications to food and ingredients, with tailored collection and cleaning processes in place. Current reusable transport solutions widely available on the market are not patent-protected, which means production can easily scale up to quantities needed once their use is encouraged by legislation. The infrastructure also exists and can be easily scaled as the technology is available.

PPWR: European Reuse Industry (2024)
The throwaway culture must end. Single-use belongs in the trash heap of industrial history. Reusables are an essential part of the solution to the global waste problem if we do not want to leave the next generation a depleted and littered planet. Let us lead the way as a continent because it is worthwhile: Europe is a global leader in reuse and has a strong reuse industry, which will benefit significantly from an ambitious PPWR, will create numerous jobs and become the next generation of European global champions.

Convinced of the strength of the ‘European model’ that relies on the sovereignty of Member States and their unity in diversity, but also by the need to ensure EU strategic autonomy, we have collectively drafted this proposal, brought together by a common vision for a better Europe for today and tomorrow where doing good and doing business go hand in hand. In confronting these major challenges of our time, we aim to provide the European Institutions (and pertinent national authorities) with concrete resources and expertise to accelerate the development of this new green and social economy. This manifesto has been developed through the joint efforts of 19 networks of forward- looking companies and is the result of a collective work carried out over several months.

A letter to reiterate our strong support for an EU-wide restriction of single-use packaging in the HORECA sector for customers who dine in. We hope that negotiators can agree to the proposals in this regard made by the European Commission in November 2022 and endorsed by the Council’s General Approach of December 2023. Please support Art. 22 together with points 3 and 4 of Annex V (“Restrictions on Use of Packaging Formats”).

We are calling for an EU Directive that will set binding EU material footprint reduction targets to 5 tonnes per capita by 2050 in line with the best available research on sustainable consumption levels, with incremental targets to monitor and ensure progress.The Directive will steer the EU and its Member States to develop implementation strategies, emphasising reductions in high-consumption sectors like transport, construction, and digital industries, and to develop sector-specific roadmaps with binding sub-targets. This approach can support a just transition, in line with ILO guidelines, while respecting workers’ rights. The Directive will also ensure the EU’s strategic autonomy and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities.

The European Parliament and the Council have adopted positions aiming to prohibit the sale of products classified as corrosive or eye-irritating (H318, H319, H317) via refill devices. Those classifications are very common on detergents, particularly on laundry detergents, fabric softeners, vinegars, dishwashing liquids, floor cleaners, and black soap. This position alerted many of our members, partners, and stakeholders. In particular, the sectoral organisations at EU and French level, A.I.S.E (International Association for Soaps, Detergents, and Maintenance Products) and FHER (Fédération Hygiène & Entretien Responsable), agree that expanding the ban on refill sales to include products classified as eye hazards would significantly curtail the option for detergents and have adverse effects on environmental objectives.

International competition demands a new model of fair economic performance that supports the European social model. To avoid the decline of the European economy, we must prioritise companies that contribute to the common good, making them the keystones of an economy that is more focused on environmental and social impact. Time has come for a new economy in which positive impact is no longer seen as a burden but as an asset for European businesses. This is the only way to restore both the sovereignty and the resilience of the European Union, while ensuring businesses meet the critical challenges of our time.