Resource library
April 2021

The Rise of Reusable Packaging: Understanding the Impact & Mapping a Path to Scale

Scroll for more
1

Glossary

A list of the key (industry-specific) terms and their meaning frequently used in the report.

2

Executive Summary

Packaging, in all its different forms, is ubiquitous across the fashion industry. This is no more evident than the single-use plastic and cardboard packaging that enables the burgeoning e-commerce market.

3

The Growing Plastic Problem

Images of plastic contaminating the marine environment, causing harm to wildlife and the ecosphere are embedded in the public consciousness. There is a growing consumer focus on reducing plastics, most notably single-use plastic packaging. The sense of urgency to tackle this issue is increasing from all sectors of society. This is no different in the fashion industry – single-use packaging is ubiquitous.

4

Single-use vs Reusable System

An overview of the current systems in operation for single-use and reusable packaging. The single-use system is highly efficient and optimised; however, is not set-up for packaging to be returned. On the reusable side, there are two key models being implemented in the market: centralised vs decentralised.

5

Methodology

For the purposes of this study, the ‘Fast-Track’ Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, developed by the Technical University of Delft, was used to compare the environmental impact of single-use versus reusable packaging systems.

6

Findings

The findings from our quantified impact analysis; including highlighting the impact hotspots within each model, as well as a series of sensitivity analyses to demonstrate the key variables which influence the environmental impact of reusable packaging.

7

Considerations for Implementation

The purpose of this section is to take the findings from the impact assessment and present the key considerations for implementing a reusable system to ensure its future potential success.

8

Conclusion

The exponential growth of e-commerce, coupled with optimised global supply chains has meant that we are consuming more packaging than ever.56 Whilst the current system of single-use plastic provides a low-cost and highly functional solution, it often comes at the expense of the environment. Increased consumption of packaging is fuelling the continued extraction of fossil-derived raw materials, whilst low recycling rates for flexible plastic packaging are leading to the generation of huge amounts of plastic waste.