Reuse
Reuse in the Commercial Packaging Industry: Giving Commercial Packaging a Second Life!
Given the ambitious goals set by the AGEC Act and the European PPWR regulations, reuse is emerging as a key driver of the transition to a circular economy.
In addition to recycling, reuse involves using packaging for the same purpose for which it was designed. The goal is therefore to extend its lifespan by rethinking packaging and logistics models to prevent waste generation.
Regulatory Objectives
The regulations set progressive targets for the incorporation of reusable packaging into commercial channels:
10% reusable packaging by 2027 for bundled packaging;
40% for shipping and retail packaging by 2030;
Up to 100% reusable packaging in certain internal flows between sites or among partners within the same operator.
Exemptions apply to certain types of packaging: flexible packaging, food products, or hazardous materials.
Improve the performance and traceability of packaging collected by the public service.
These flows can result from several situations:
- Commercial packaging dropped off at a public recycling center;
- Packaging collected through specific collection efforts, such as at markets, events, stores, or business districts;
- Professional packaging identified at sorting centers;
- Waste streams collected as part of public services when they are classified as similar waste.
Make better use of the materials already collected
Many types of commercial packaging are already present in municipal waste streams, but they are not always identified as such. Some packaging may end up in the “reject” pile or in non-recycled waste streams, even though it has the potential for material recovery.
Léko Pro works with local governments and their partners to:
Better characterize existing flows
Identify recyclable commercial packaging
Improving recycling guidelines for commercial waste generators
Facilitate guidance toward the right academic tracks
Minimize sorting errors and losses of recyclable materials.
Solutions Promoted by Léko Pro
Léko Pro is working to accelerate the adoption of reuse in B2B sectors through several concrete measures:
- The “PRO réemploi” calls for projects supporting experimentation, prototyping, and the widespread adoption of reusable solutions;
- Technical and regulatory support: flow analysis, feasibility studies, traceability tools;
- Partnerships with organizations in the reuse sector (networks of operators, reuse platforms, circular economy startups);
- Incentive-based eco-modulations in our eco-contribution schedule: reduced contributions for reusable packaging and incentives for sustainable standardization.
Supporting the Transition with the Léko Academy
Through the Léko Academy, Léko Pro members enjoy exclusive access to training programs focused on reuse: support for setting up reuse loops, sharing of best operational practices, optimization of logistics flows, recommendations for washing and tracking packaging, as well as concrete feedback from the field.
This educational approach, inspired by European best practices observed among our partners in the Reclay Group, promotes the development of skills among stakeholders and the creation of sustainable reuse systems in local communities.
Reuse: A Cornerstone of Sustainable Performance
Léko Pro works alongside businesses to make reuse simple, measurable, and profitable through an approach based on cooperation, the standardization of reusable packaging, and the traceability of supply chains.
Together, let’s transform our commercial packaging into sustainable resources to support an ambitious and responsible circular economy!