Over 100,000 signatures for more reuse

Citizens, businesses, municipalities and NGOs from across Europe are calling on the EU to adopt legislation that supports reuse systems for packaging. In this way, we reduce the use of raw materials, waste and pollution, and create a circular economy. The handover marks an important milestone of the #WeChooseReuse campaign. More than 100,000 individuals, 165 NGOs, 300 companies and 34 municipalities signed the #WeChooseReuse commitment. They demand that EU policy responds to the growing demand for reuse systems across Europe. Increase in plastic packaging Plastic is one of the main materials in single-use packaging. The production of packaging and packaging waste has increased steadily over the last 20 years. In 2019, a record volume of 178 kg of packaging waste per person was produced in Europe. To address this growing problem, #WeChooseReuse asks national and EU policymakers to make reuse the new normal. In this way, we enable the scaling up of refill and reuse systems such as deposit return schemes. We also request that the use of certain single-use packaging is restricted, especially when reusable alternatives are available. Revision of European 'packaging and packaging waste' directive The petition is particularly relevant now as the European Commission is currently revising the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). This will set requirements for packaging design and the reduction of packaging and packaging waste. We expect the revision at the end of November. Break Free From Plastic and its members continue to urge that the PPWD should support a just transition to packaging reuse systems by: setting a limit on how much packaging is placed on the market, binding reuse targets, economic incentives and support for reuse and refill systems. This call is also shared by Austria, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden, which called on the EU earlier this year to set ambitious reuse targets in the PPWD. #WeChooseReuse Recycling Netwerk Benelux is an active member of the international Break Free From Plastic movement consisting of nearly 2000 members. We are also co-organisers of the European #WeChooseReuse campaign through Mission Reuse. Mission Reuse, a project of Recycling Netwerk Benelux, Natuur & Milieu and Enviu, aims to accelerate the transition from single-use to reuse in the Netherlands.

Citizens, businesses, municipalities and NGOs from across Europe are calling on the EU to adopt legislation that supports reuse systems for packaging. In this way, we reduce the use of raw materials, waste and pollution, and create a circular economy.

The handover marks an important milestone of the #WeChooseReuse campaign. More than 100,000 individuals, 165 NGOs, 300 companies and 34 municipalities signed the #WeChooseReuse commitment. They demand that EU policy responds to the growing demand for reuse systems across Europe.

Increase in plastic packaging

Plastic is one of the main materials in single-use packaging. The production of packaging and packaging waste has increased steadily over the last 20 years. In 2019, a record volume of 178 kg of packaging waste per person was produced in Europe.

To address this growing problem, #WeChooseReuse asks national and EU policymakers to make reuse the new normal. In this way, we enable the scaling up of refill and reuse systems such as deposit return schemes. We also request that the use of certain single-use packaging is restricted, especially when reusable alternatives are available.

Revision of European 'packaging and packaging waste' directive

The petition is particularly relevant now as the European Commission is currently revising the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). This will set requirements for packaging design and the reduction of packaging and packaging waste. We expect the revision at the end of November.

Break Free From Plastic and its members continue to urge that the PPWD should support a just transition to packaging reuse systems by:

setting a limit on how much packaging is placed on the market

binding targets for reuse

economic incentives and support for reuse and refill systems.

This call is also shared by Austria, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Sweden, which called on the EU earlier this year to set ambitious reuse targets in the PPWD.

#WeChooseReuse

Recycling Netwerk Benelux is an active member of the international Break Free From Plastic movement consisting of nearly 2000 members. We are also co-organisers of the European #WeChooseReuse campaign through Mission Reuse. Mission Reuse, a project of Recycling Netwerk Benelux, Natuur & Milieu and Enviu, aims to accelerate the transition from single-use to reuse in the Netherlands.