Call for stronger action to make reuse mainstream
Trio of reports warn that progress on reuse systems are being constrained by finance and policies to tackle plastic pollution.
A comparative analysis of reuse policy across Europe, South America and Southeast Asia has found that fragmented policies, weak financial incentives and gaps in infrastructure are constraining the green shoots of reuse systems from flourishing.
The University of Portsmouth, UK’s Global Plastics Policy Centre and the Revolution Plastics Institute reports draw on multi-year policy analysis, stakeholder interviews and comparative research.
Dr Antaya March, Director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre, said that without stronger, co-ordinated policy frameworks reuse would struggle to move beyond pilots and voluntary initiatives.
‘There is clear momentum, but scaling reuse requires more deliberate policy design,’ she explained. ‘This includes defining reuse more clearly, linking it to existing policy instruments, and creating the conditions for investment and implementation. Continued research and collaboration will be essential to accelerate progress.’
Dr Tegan Evans, Research Fellow of the Revolution Plastics Institute, adds, ‘Reuse is no longer a niche idea - it is a critical part of tackling plastic pollution.’
