System Change Scenario

Burning Questions – Pathways to a circular plastic packaging system in Germany

WWF (2021)

The report examines Germany’s packaging system, revealing that despite high collection and recycling rates, much of the plastic waste is incinerated, leading to significant environmental costs. The analysis shows that transitioning to a circular economy could cut waste, lower CO2 emissions, and reduce reliance on virgin plastic by 2040. It emphasises the need for a shift towards circular resource management, focusing on waste prevention and material reuse. Achieving this requires political will, industry action, and collaboration between stakeholders.

Future of Reusable Consumption Models: Platform for Shaping the Future of Consumption

World Economic Forum (2021)

The report builds on proprietary research to create a framework for the viability of reuse systems and serve as a guide for the scaling of reuse. It discusses the three primary actors of systems change required, which will dictate the pace and trajectory of the shift towards reuse: consumers; business; the public sector. The report presents the Reuse Viability Framework, a proprietary ground-breaking tool created by the initiative, to establish the viability of reuse-centred production and consumption cycles and demonstrate the potential for superior economic, environmental and social impact relative to single-use alternatives. The report also highlights three potential scenarios for the development of a reuse economy by 2030 including one where the equivalent of half of annual plastic ocean waste can be prevented by reusing just 10-20% of plastic packaging.

Waste in the Net-Zero Century: Testing the Holistic Resources System via Three European Case Studies

TOMRA & Eunomia (2021)

This report by TOMRA and Eunomia examines waste management models through three European case studies: Friesland (Netherlands), Milan (Italy), and Stavanger (Norway). It evaluates recycling rates, greenhouse gas emissions, and the effectiveness of systems like Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) and Mixed Waste Sorting (MWS). The study highlights that with improved policy frameworks and advanced waste processing technologies, recycling efficiency and environmental benefits can increase significantly, pushing Europe closer to its net-zero goals.

Breaking the Plastic Wave

The PEW Charitable Trust, SYSTEMIQ (2021)

“Breaking the Plastic Wave,” a global analysis using first-of-its-kind modelling, shows that we can cut annual flows of plastic into the ocean by about 80% in the next 20 years by applying existing solutions and technologies. The report argues that no single solution can achieve this goal; the only way to break the plastic wave is by taking immediate, ambitious, and concerted actions.

Making Europe transition to reusable packaging

Zero Waste Europe (2022)

Despite the proven environmental and economic benefits of reusable packaging systems, Europe has seen a steady decline in the share of reusable packaging over the last decades. This report examines the state of reusable packaging in Europe, highlighting its environmental and economic benefits over single-use packaging. It identifies the economic factors driving the shift towards single-use packaging and the resulting negative environmental impacts. The report aims to identify the packaging sectors with the greatest potential for transitioning to reusable options, advocating for targeted legislation and infrastructure to support this change. The study is part of the ReuSe Vanguard Project (RSVP), a collaborative European effort to promote reusable packaging systems.

The New Reuse Economy

Upstream (2022)

The report outlines a vision to achieve “30 by 30” — with 30% of consumable goods in the U.S. and Canada sold in reusable formats by 2030. It examines the significant environmental impact of single-use packaging and presents reuse systems as a viable alternative, especially for the food service, beverage, and consumer packaged goods sectors. The report advocates for transforming packaging from a product to a service, requiring new infrastructure, industry collaboration, and policy support. The aim is to establish scalable, local reuse systems that reduce waste and operational costs while addressing Scope 3 climate emissions, making reuse a sustainable, economically viable option for businesses.

Decarbonisation of Single Use Beverage Packaging

Eunomia (2023)

This study builds upon Eunomia’s previous investigation into materials decarbonisation pathways. Focussing on the four materials with the greatest emissions globally, the study found that each will have great difficulty in reducing GHG emissions in line with a 1.5°C future by 2050, particularly if mass consumption continues and increases. Whilst studying the global material picture provides valuable insights; policymakers may find it more useful to have the same approach applied at the product level. Therefore, this study delves into the Net Zero pathways of aluminium, PET, and glass when utilised in beverage packaging within the EU, evaluating their potential performance within a cumulative GHG emissions budget that aligns with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

Topic Sheet: Reuse Schemes. Turning Off the Tap – How The World Can End Plastic Pollution and Create a Circular Economy

UN Environment Programme (2023)

This topic sheet is part of the publication “Turning off the Tap: How the world can end plastic pollution and create a circular economy”. It discusses the importance of reuse schemes as a scalable solution to reduce plastic waste at the source. It explains various models of reuse, from refillable containers to subscription services, highlighting their potential to cut plastic pollution, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create economic benefits. The document emphasises the need for supportive policies, consumer behaviour shifts, and investment to scale these schemes. It also outlines key success factors, such as achieving a high number of reuse cycles and standardisation, to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of reuse initiatives.

Turning Off the Tap – How the World Can End Plastic Pollution and Create a Circular Economy

UN Environment Programme (2023)

The report proposes a systems change to address the causes of plastic pollution, starting by reducing problematic and unnecessary plastic use, redesigning the system, products and their packaging and combining these with a market transformation towards circularity in plastics. This can be achieved by accelerating three key shifts – reorient and diversify, reuse, and recycle – and actions to deal with the legacy of plastic pollution.

System Change Scenario 2

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