SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES
Craig says:“ The driver is sustainability, you’ re not having to use new materials, but we would need extra processes to prepare and inspect bottles to then store bottles. I think from a sustainability point of view, there are benefits to reusing bottles over and over. As long as you ensure the quality of the bottle, the contents aren’ t going to change. We’ ve got to overcome some public perceptions to be more sustainable. It’ s okay to reuse a bottle.
HOW WILL SCHEMES IMPACT BEHAVIOUR? if the product in the bottle is clean because the outside is scuffed, but you do all the quality checks. In fact, you probably do more quality checks on a returned bottle.”
However, like no- and low-alcohol drinks, there are positives and negatives to reusable packaging.“ Reusable bottles might be heavier because to be reusable, they have to be more durable,” he says.“ So you make them heavy, but that increases material use and carbon intensity or environmental consequence over lighter bottles. However, the benefits once a bottle is used maybe 10 or 15 times outweighs making a new bottle every time.”
Beyond consumer preferences, changes in packaging requirements and regulations can change approaches to selecting products.“ In the UK, regulations like Extended Producer Responsibility mean businesses now bear 100 % of a fee based on the weight and type of packaging they place on the market – from glass bottles to cans,” Craig explains.“ This shift is designed to incentivise more sustainable packaging choices, and it underlines the importance of reducing material use and increasing recyclability across the industry. As other schemes, like the Deposit Return Scheme, come online in the UK, we will see how these impact consumer behaviour and the choices they make on different packaging types depending on the nature of the schemes.”
sustainabilitymag. com 77