UK urged to adopt legally binding 30% reuse packaging target by 2035

UK – A new report has called on the UK government to set a legally binding target for making 30% of consumer packaging reusable by 2035, as part of the country’s broader strategy to combat packaging waste and mitigate the environmental impact of single-use materials.

The report, titled “A 30% Reuse Future for the UK,” was launched by Reuse and Refill, a coalition of environmental groups, retailers, and packaging innovators, including Greenpeace UK, WRAP, Abel & Cole, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

The study presents a roadmap for scaling reusable packaging systems across multiple sectors—including grocery, personal care, food service, and e-commerce, to deliver meaningful reductions in emissions and packaging waste.

Climate and cost benefits

If adopted, the 30% reuse target could cut the UK’s annual carbon emissions by over 2.5 million tonnes, equivalent to removing 1.6 million cars from the roads, according to the report.

It would also eliminate 1.5 million tonnes of plastic and cardboard packaging waste each year.

At present, only 1–2% of consumer packaging in the UK is reusable. The coalition proposes scaling this to 10% by 2030, and reaching 30% by 2035, a timeline they believe is ambitious yet achievable with the right policy framework.

Beyond environmental gains, the report highlights long-term cost savings for retailers, as reuse systems, though requiring upfront investment, reduce dependency on raw materials and lower operational costs over time.

Policy push over voluntary action

The coalition argues that voluntary efforts alone have not yielded significant progress. To drive systemic change, they propose a mix of regulatory and financial interventions, including:

• Standardization of reusable packaging formats
• Mandatory reporting requirements on reuse performance
• Integration of reuse targets into Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes
• Government-backed investment in reuse pilots and infrastructure

The report underscores that stronger legislation will level the playing field, making it easier for businesses to adopt reuse models without losing competitive ground.

Industry engagement growing, but patchy

UK retailers have shown increasing interest in refillable and returnable packaging models. Tesco, Co-op, and Marks & Spencer have launched reuse trials, while companies like Loop and Abel & Cole are testing circular delivery systems.

However, uptake has remained limited and fragmented, largely due to a lack of policy clarity and inadequate incentives for scale-up.

The report argues that a national reuse target would create consistency across supply chains, spur innovation, and help the UK meet its net-zero and waste reduction goals more effectively.

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