sThe use of single-use plastics has increased during the past 50 years, infiltrating many aspects of our lives. Growing up in Armenia, when it was part of the former Soviet Union, plastic bags or plastic bottles were rare, and reusable shopping bags and glass bottles were the norm. Reuse was an accepted way of life. Now, in Armenia, as in many countries around the world, single-use plastic is ubiquitous in daily life.
The facts are worrying. Today, single-use plastic covers the Earth, and its consumption is skyrocketing – from 460 million tons in 2019 1,231 million tonnes in 2060, is threatening our ecosystem. Plastic, a byproduct of fossil fuels, also contributes to climate change. This is a double whammy for the health of the planets.
in present, Half of global plastic production is for single use, and 14% of plastic packaging is collected for recycling. For example, in the United States, where I currently live, plastic use has tripled since the 1980s. However, only 5-6% of municipal plastic waste Was recycled in 2021. Despite citizens segregating their plastic waste, the bitter truth is that they are only preparing it for a trip to landfills, incinerators or the ocean.
As a society, we cannot recycle our way out of plastic waste. Alternative solution is needed. It’s time to bring back reuse. Research shows that Reusing only 10% of plastic packaging Will reduce plastic waste reaching the ocean by 50% annually.
Circular models of consumption are gaining momentum
The good news is that the reuse trend – a circular model of consumption in which items are put to use rather than thrown away – is finally gaining momentum.
In the private sector, for example, including companies PepsiCo And Coca-Cola has announced industry-leading reuse goals. In the public sector, the European Union recently issued Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) With proposed reuse targets in selected industry sectors, and negotiations are underway at the United Nations to develop a legally binding a settlement To end global plastic pollution.
As new business models and capabilities are developed to advance reuse, global actors must align on reuse success metrics. Thus, it is imperative that reuse is measured in a cohesive manner to avoid fragmentation in goal-setting and measurement of progress.
Equally important, it is critical that this harmonized measurement approach is tested in “real world settings” by businesses to ensure its accuracy and effectiveness before being used to inform the work of governments and standard-setting institutions. and is widely scaled geographically. areas and products.
To ensure a future where reuse measurement and reporting is consistent, the World Economic Forum future of consumption platform catalyzed a coalition of major private and public stakeholders that includes organizations including PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company, Nestlé, Unilever, Walmart, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), to develop a comprehensive measurement and reporting can be constructed. Framework for businesses to track progress towards reusable models of consumption.
The future of consumption platforms reuse metrics
first step of the effort Resulting in the prioritization of two reuse metrics for corporate stakeholders for testing in 2023. The first measures the transformation of a packaging portfolio designed for reuse, while the second captures whether consumers are effectively engaging with the reuse model.
These two functionalities are reused by both the volume or portion of product units (i.e., liters of beverage, liters of food, or liters of personal and household care products) as well as the total number of loops obtained by a packaging unit. translates into measuring. life, respectively.
The combination of these metrics is especially important in holistically demonstrating the company’s shift toward a circular model, which is the ultimate sign of positive impact. The Reuse Metrics Testing Playbook provides detailed steps to guide businesses in their testing efforts.
Walmart will also test the metrics against its new Reuse pilot with loop in ArkansasWhere consumers will be able to choose from an assortment of products delivered in reusable containers through Walmart+ InHome.
Innovative solutions – along with reuse target-setting and getting the right measurement – are key steps to scale up the reuse model globally and put reuse consumption into practice.
This article originally appeared on Waikai Global
Zara English, heads shaping the future of consumption; executive committee membersWorld Economic Forum