France Launches Fully Scaled Reusable Packaging System with Terracycle and Loop

France Introduces Plan for Fully Scaled Reusable Packaging System

Terracycle and Loops focus has always been empowered by a quick and singular vision to discard the idea of waste. Recycling has not always been emphasized, but has been considered a critical element in waste management for many years. We think that reuse, combined with improved recycling efforts, will be equally fundamental and play a dual role in proportionally reducing the waste volume we create worldwide. In late 2019, at Davos, the company revealed the Loop Reuse Platform in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, which sparked global excitement.

This represented a first attempt at a robust multi-category reuse system at an industrial level globally. Alongside the logistical and environmental benefits of discarding single-use packaging, the confirmation of waste reduction and supply chain strength was unambiguous. Still, the journey to promote scalability has been a tough and challenging ladder to climb. Over the decades, various reuse pilots have been introduced with a milestone mindset across the world to overcome challenges. This consists of Loops initial initiatives in Canada, Japan, the U.S., and the UK.

Despite the heavy investment of over $45 million and six long years of persistent repetition, our aim of achieving global scale has only materialized in France. A question is emerging: how come Loop commercially won in France, even though theres no such performance in other initial markets? The answer is the discovery of its strong interlocking ecosystem. Its a national presence that demonstrates its evident reuse, confirming it can operate at an industrial scale for virtually every consumer packaged good, including dairy, cleaning supplies, cosmetics, and wine, throughout the market.

Now, French consumers have received a valuable interoperable, global reuse system. Consumers can purchase a wide range of everyday products with reusable containers, which require a small deposit, usage of the product, and returning the empty container (uncleaned) to any incorporated retailer. This simplified, seamless operational implementation throughout the coalition of key retailers confirmed consumer appetite and developed the logistical support for national integration.

This change has generated a huge multi-stakeholder reuse coalition, which is a crucial step in the global move to a circular economy. This loops achievement in France offers advanced solutions to markets where regulatory consistency and voluntary corporate dedication are lacking. This reuse system promotes sustainability in the packaging sector.