Is reuse imposed by EU?
The changes to the deposit system cost hundreds of millions of euros. Still, it is only the beginning. Without any greater discussions, the Member States will have binding reduction objectives for packaging waste. The latest statistics from 2022 tells us that 940 000 tonnes of packaging waste is generated in Finland annually. By 2030 there must be a reduction of 100 000 tonnes. And that is only the beginning.
Upper limits for single-use packaging are set in the Regulation until 2040. In 2040 the volume of packaging waste may not exceed 730 000 tonnes. This is 200 000 tonnes less than in 2022. Further challenge is provided by much-desired economic growth. The statistics show that the volume of packaging waste follows the changes in GDP. The connection between economy and packaging waste must be broken down.
The volume of waste cannot be reduced by recycling because a recyclable packaging is already waste. But reducing the use of single-use packaging helps. Still, it must be possible to transport all purchased products, and the volume of food waste must be reduced. How can this be done? The PPWR offers reuse as a solution.
Contrary to general belief, reuse of packaging is commonplace in Finland. Wooden pallets, plastic boxes and metal roller cages move smoothly between companies. B2B packaging increase the rate of packaging reuse in Finland to 57%. Consumer packaging is single-use packaging. They end up with purchases in three million households and the aim is to get them recycled. This has been the solution because recycling enables more efficient logistics than reuse and is easier for consumers.
Is a change to the deposit system a solution to the challenge? Beginning with glass bottles, because cans and plastic bottles are so light that their reuse does not help notably. If a 10% rate of reuse is achieved, the volume of Finnish waste falls by 5 000 tonnes a year. That is not sufficient even to begin with. Is significantly more extensive reuse the only solution to the challenge? Are we ready to make the effort of returning our packaging? What will the new system cost and most of all, is it a better solution than recycling to the most acute environmental challenges?