Packaging experts, retailers and industry leaders gathered at the second Global Reuse Summit, to call on the government to support reusable packaging with robust policy.
The event, hosted by environmental charity City to Sea in partnership with Ecosurety, discussed the key actions needed to scale up reusable packing, power the transition to a reusable economy and build up consumer confidence.
Over 950 guests from across the globe including Australia, Singapore, Norway, and the USA took part in the summit, with attendees calling for a combination of policy targets and industry investments to drive the shift towards a waste-free future.
Representatives from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Everyday Plastic and Greenpeace were in attendance as speakers discussed the transformative potential of reusable packaging to be a solution to the single-use plastic packaging crisis, as well as the global market opportunities created by reuse economies.
A global panel featuring Alejandra Warren, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Plastic Free Future, discussed examples of reuse systems in other nations from which the UK can learn lessons and emphasised the need for systemic change, increased funding, and a shift in public perception.
Celia Rennesson, of Réseau Vrac et Réemploi, shared how the development of reuse in France has been powered by the allocation of 5% of EPR fees into the infrastructure and communications to support the transition to reuse. Attendees of the conference including NGOs, academics and businesses, called for the UK Government to follow suit.
Highlights from the agenda also included a discussion with James Bull, Head of Packaging at Tesco, Lowelle Bryan, Senior Specialist at WRAP and Catherine Conway, member of the DEFRA Circular Economy Taskforce and audience members, focusing on the need for an aligned vision and the development of a solid plan to roll out reuse with a clear legislative pathway led by government. Catherine Conway reminded the conference that UK Government has invested in waste management in the past, such as the roll out of kerbside collection which significantly improved recycling rates.
Meanwhile, business leaders including Safia Qureshi, Founder & CEO, Club Zero and Stuart Chidley, Co-founder of Beauty Kitchen and Reposit gave an in-depth outline of the business case for reuse systems.
Collectively the agenda showed the clear appetite from industry players for collective, collaborative action to drive forward systematic change.
Coinciding with the summit, a new briefing paper titled “Global Insights on Packaging Reuse for the UK” was launched, examining successful reuse models, and outlining clear learning for the UK to scale up reusable packaging systems.
Prepared by Eunomia for City to Sea, the paper identifies key requirements for a successful transition to reusable packaging systems.
This includes mandatory sector and product-specific targets for reuse and refill and industry technical and quality standards to ensure compliance and best practice.
Jane Martin, CEO of City to Sea, said: “Today's summit demonstrates that businesses are committed individually, and in collaboration with others, to bring reuse a step closer. In every single discussion the case was made for policy makers to support industry with clear and timely legislation supporting reuse. It was incredibly inspiring to see the brightest minds in our industry – and from all around the world - coming together to disrupt the status quo and to accelerate the transition to the new reuse economy. As a global movement we have the power to drive economic growth while also keeping our rivers and oceans plastic-free and addressing the climate emergency.’
“Research we have conducted shows that 75 per cent of UK consumers believe reusable packaging must replace single-use packaging to bring down plastic waste[1]. The demand is clearly there and there's no time to waste – it’s brilliant to see industry really ramping up for the reuse revolution.”
Green Party Peer Baroness Natalie Bennett said: “Single-use plastic has choked our environment, our bodies, and our water. At present, many of the chemicals in plastic have not been identified, meaning people are gambling with their health every time they come into contact with plastic. From our cookware to clothes, plastic really is synonymous with everyday life.’
“What’s worse is our waste management system is designed for recycling, which continues to harm people and planet with the release of further toxic chemicals. With only nine percent of all plastic ever produced being recycled, it is evident change is needed[2].
“The Global Reuse Summit united policymakers, businesses, and packaging experts to show just how achievable a transition to reuse and refill is for consumers and retailers. Not only does this cut the flow of plastic, but opens up opportunities for an innovative packaging sector, creating better quality jobs, cutting pollution, and protecting human health.”
Will Ghali, CEO of Ecosurety, added: "We were delighted to team up with City to Sea for the second Global Reuse Summit which showed the appetite is clearly there from stakeholders to make reuse a success. Alongside the strong support from industry players, we have the technology to back it up. What we need now is coordinated action from policymakers, businesses and consumers to create the scale needed for these systems to thrive."
[1] City to Sea (2025) Polling was conducted by Yonder of 2,067 UK adults from 5th – 6th February 2025
[2] OECE (2022) Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly as waste management and recycling fall short, says