Glass packaging is ideal for reuse! Together with European partners, Fair Resource Foundation is therefore launching INTERPOOL: a cross-border project aimed at establishing a joint reuse system for glass bottles and jars. In doing so, INTERPOOL is helping to accelerate the transition to a circular packaging chain and supporting the EU’s ambitions in this area.
A well-organised system enables the large-scale reuse of glass packaging and transport packaging. Through the new European project INTERPOOL, fourteen organisations from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany aim to lay the foundations for such a system. The aim: to break down ‘bottlenecks’ rather than ‘bottles’.
Improved systems for reuse
In a circular economy, it is possible to wash and reuse our bottles and jars. Reusable glass can play a key role in achieving the objectives of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). This requires coordination, harmonisation and cooperation across national borders.
INTERPOOL brings together industry leaders to lay the foundations for an efficient cross-border pooling system for reusable glass packaging. It focuses on analysing, improving and harmonising the existing systems in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany. This presents a historic opportunity to strengthen European cooperation and accelerate the transition to reuse across the entire sector.
In the coming years, we will:
🗺️ Map existing systems in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany
⚙️ Identify technical, logistical and policy-related bottlenecks
🔎 Determine what is needed to enable systems to operate across borders
💬 Learn from the practical experiences of retailers, filling companies and innovators
🎯 Develop a joint action plan for reusable glass packaging in Europe
Cross-border cooperation
INTERPOOL brings together fourteen partners in Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, including public authorities, research institutions, trade associations and civil society organisations. Together, we are establishing a pooling system for the reuse of glass packaging across national borders. This project is funded by the EU under Interreg North-West Europe (NWE).
Partners
We are proud to be working with a fantastic consortium of organisations: Fair Resource Foundation (Lead) (NL); Enviu Zero Waste (NL); Province of South Holland (NL); Verpact / Knowledge Institute for Sustainable Packaging (KIDV) (NL); Citeo (FR); Réseau Vrac et Réemploi (FR); Genossenschaft Deutscher Brunnen eG (GDB) (DE); Mehrwegverband Deutschland e.V. (DE); Pro Mehrweg (DE); Fost Plus (BE); University of Antwerp – REuseLab (BE); Mission Zero Academy (BE / EU); New ERA – New European Reuse Alliance (BE / EU); Zero Waste Europe (BE / EU). The following partners have expressed their support for the project through their expertise or networks: Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat; OVAM; ACR+ | Association of Cities and Regions for sustainable Resource management; Fevia, the federation of the Belgian food companies; Valorlux asbl; Valipac; Comeos; Wageningen University & Research; Léko Umweltbundesamt – German Environment Agency; Deutsche Umwelthilfe; GS1 Belgium & Luxembourg; ConsomAction; Stichting Hergebruik Nu. We would also like to express our gratitude to those who contributed to the development of this project, as well as to Bureau BUITEN, Het Subsidiehuis and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
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