Unpacking the Circular Economy Evidence Session: Reusable Packaging in the Supply Chain

Policy Connect’s ongoing inquiry, ‘Unpacking the circular economy: reuse and refill in packaging solutions’, explores the role these packaging types can play in moving the UK towards a circular economy.

Reusable packaging solutions are not new. They have been around for certain product types for a long time. But, in recent decades, supply chains have increasingly shifted towards single-use packaging.  

The transition to reusable packaging models presents both opportunities and challenges across the supply chain; requiring new logistics, different economic optimisation, and new skills requirements, in order to see reusable packaging succeed in contributing to a more circular economy in the UK. 

This is the third and final evidence session for this inquiry, and will consider:

• Operational and commercial challenges that businesses expect to face when adapting the supply chain for reuse 
• Impact this transition will have on the kind of skills and jobs required in the supply chain
• Role of packaging design standardisation in facilitating a circular supply chain 
• Policy levers required to facilitate the production and supply of reusable packaging

The event will be chaired by Ruth Jones MP and will hear from speakers including: 

• Councillor Linda Taylor, representing the Local Government Association 
• Catherine Conway, Unpackaged
• Katherine Fleet, RECOUP
• Dr Rorie Parsons and Sarah Greenwood, University of Sheffield 

The findings of the session will inform the conclusions of the inquiry.

This event will be held online. 

For more information about this session and joining instructions, please contact katy.haigh@policyconnect.org.uk