Recoup, PECT launch toolkit to address single-use packaging scrap

Recoup and the Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT), two environmental charities based in the United Kingdom, have partnered to introduce the PECT Bring it Back toolkit, designed for businesses and communities to help address “the growing problem of single-use packaging.”

According to the entities, single-use packaging is known for its convenience, but, every year, billions of cups and other packaging items end up polluting green spaces, rivers and seas. Recognizing the issue, Recoup and PECT have designed the toolkit to encourage and help set up returnable packaging programs to tackle pollution at its source.

Key features of the Bring it Back toolkit include:

• clear, easy-to-follow instructions for setting up and managing a reusable packaging program;
• tips to effectively communicate a new program to an audience;
• the business case for understanding how efforts can reduce waste and save money; and
• and case studies showcasing the benefits of reusable packaging programs, from waste reduction to customer loyalty.

Recoup and PECT say the toolkit was developed following a range of behavior change pilots that tested the barriers and enablers to successfully launching a reusable packaging program in different locations, including schools, community hubs, offices and café networks.

“We are excited to launch our PECT Bring it Back toolkit, based on the successful learnings of our pilot schemes, which have been run at various locations across the region for the last year,” PECT CEO Stuart Dawks says. “It’s a fantastic starting point for any organization looking to start a reusable packaging scheme.”

The initiative is one of six projects around the U.K. funded by Hubbub and Starbucks’ Bring It Back Fund, which was set up to fund innovative solutions and systems for sustainable packaging in the food and drink industry.

Gavin Ellis, director and co-founder of U.K.-based charity Hubbub, says, “Hubbub set up the Bring It Back Fund with Starbucks to support innovation in reuse. We are pleased the learnings PECT has acquired through their trials are now going to benefit other organizations and businesses. We hope many will be inspired to set up their own reuse schemes to tackle single-use packaging.”

The Bring it Back toolkit can be downloaded here.