FMCG’s move to Circular Packaging

It is no surprise that single-use packaging is problematic. On one side, there is a continuously increasing demand for new materials to keep up with the packaging requirements and on the other end, there is a rapidly growing mountain of packaging waste. Single-use packaging puts pressure on the environment at all stages of its lifecycle.

The True Cost of Single-Use Packaging

At first glance, single-use offers convenience at a low cost. But, on closer inspection, we realise its hefty price. Manufacturing one new glass bottle uses as much energy as powering a 10W LED bulb for 100 hours. We use the bottle for hardly few minutes, and then decide to throw it away or recycle it. Both of these options are inefficient - especially when the bottle is in reusable condition. We pay the price in terms of environmental and labour exploitation to source raw materials, and produce millions of packaging material which ends up being thrown away or sent for recycling after just one use.

EPR Regulations Embrace Reuse

Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations play a crucial role in enabling a circular economy in India. With strict mandates on producers’ responsibility to recycle waste and include recycled material in packaging, they are now introducing guidelines on reuse as well. The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 mandates reuse targets for brand owners starting from the financial year 2025-26. For rigid plastic packaging with volume or weight equal or more than 0.9 liter or kg but less than 4.9 litres or kg, the reuse target starts at 10% in 2025-26, increasing by 5% every year to reach 25% from 2028-29 onwards. For packaging exceeding the 4.9 litres or kg limit, the target starts at 70% in 2025-26 increasing by 5% every year to reach 85% from 2028-29 onwards.

This means, if you are an FMCG brand owner, it is the best time to start embracing reuse for your packaging needs from a compliance point of view.

Truly Circular System

It is however not just about compliance. Reuse can be a truly circular system to close the waste loop, especially for FMCG where there is high volume of repeat sales. It reduces the need for virgin resources and extends the life of existing resources while being efficient about energy. Reuse can also reduce packaging costs in the long run.

At Reverse, we are building the infrastructure to enable sanitisation and reuse of packaging. We have set up collection systems in apartments across Bangalore and have tied up with hotels, restaurants and cafes as well. We have successfully enabled brands to meet their ESG goals through reuse. With over 2.1M+ packaging reused, we have saved 1300 MT CO2e, enabled packaging cost reduction of 30%, created 250+ livelihoods, and repurposed 1800+ MT of waste.

Our goal is to be an enabler for reuse of all kinds of packaging including glass bottles, rigid plastics, paper and cloth bags, gel ice packs, and carton boxes. We are on our way to reach 15000 MT capacity by 2030, with a full-stack blockchain based reuse platform.

If you are interested to partner with us, fill out this form.