Even as EPR, DRS and other promising policies involving reuse are being developed, the definitions of “reuse” are scattered and often ill-conceived. Now is the time to properly define reusable packaging—and especially differentiate between returnable and refillable packaging—in the policy context.

We dig into this rich topic in Upstream's Feb 15th, 2024 installment of Indisposable Live (our livestream series). Learn from Zero Waste Europe’s Nathan Dufour about the recommendations outlined in ZWE’s "Packaging Refill vs. Packaging Prevention" report, as well as from Oceana’s Matt Littlejohn about global examples of reuse at scale. Upstream’s Policy Director and discussion moderator Sydney Harris explains the different types of reuse, offers some do’s and don’ts within the policy landscape, and shares Upstream’s own recommended definition of reuse—in hopes of moving us all forward in passing truly effective reuse policy.

For a full roundup of links, see our Key Takeaways blog post