D4.4: Increasing reusable packaging, progress report

This document provides a progress report on activities of work package 4 of STOPP project within the first periodic report (M1-M18). The final goal of this work package (WP) is to increase uptake and safety of reusable plastic packaging in alignment with EU sustainability targets and regulations such as Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The research in this WP is divided into 3 tasks, namely, implementing reuse pilots in restaurants and retail scenarios (T4.1), material safety and enhancement (T4.2), and optimising the reuse cycle via logistics and packaging monitoring. The results for each task will be reported in 3 deliverables, D4.5 (due M36), D4.2 (due M32), and D4.1 (due M24), respectively. In T4.1 (Chapter 2) – Reusable food packaging ReUse Cases, led by reCIRCLE (reC, Switzerland), Finland, France, and Switzerland are defined as reuse piloting countries with a case-specific research focus area. The piloting countries were selected based on the level of reuse market establishment, and regulations. The restaurant pilots in Finland are running with 9 pizza home delivery restaurants. An active stakeholder mapping is ongoing with potential Swiss partner funded by Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor REA can be held responsible for them. stakeholders to start planning and implementing further retail and restaurant pilots in all 3 locations. For Swiss pilot planning, reuse stakeholder mapping and interviews were realised along with a consumer journey diagram, which will help to pinpoint the key areas enabling or hindering the reuse. As task partners, University of Vaasa (UVA, Finland) provides insights into pilot design and data analysis from circular business development and consumer science perspective, while Ekokumppanit (EKOF, Finland) supports reC with implementing stakeholder interviews, communication and dissemination of Finnish pilots. The main risk in this task has been the lack of local reuse market and operator in Finland, and lack of reCIRCLE partners in France. However, based on the expertise and extensive network of reCIRCLE and STOPP project partners, it is foreseen that the task objectives can be realised according to the grand agreement plan. For instance, in Finland, restaurant chain operator Kotipizza Oyj and retail operator KESKO Oyj, were onboarded to STOPP pilots based on VTT-led Business Finland projects 4everPack and Reusify. In T4.3 (Chapter 3) – Optimising the reuse cycle: Return logistics and packaging monitoring, led by reCIRCLE, a reuse map was prepared summarising all operational scenarios along with a literature review and market analysis on packaging digitalisation and automation. A literature survey was prepared by VTT on available sensor and tag technologies relevant to reusable packaging. The collected data will be analysed in D4.1 (due M24) in terms of how these technologies affect reuse uptake rates, efficiency and consumer convenience. As the reuse pilots in T4.1 will take place until the end of project, the implementation and evaluation of the pilot will be included in D4.5 – Reusable food packaging reuse case due M36, instead of D4.1. In T4.2 (Chapter 4) – Material and packaging safety and enhancement for reusable packaging, led by VTT (Finland), post-consumer reusable plastic food packaging was characterised in terms of wear and scratch patterns and geometries. The identified damages were linked to various packaging formats and use of cutlery. Accelerated wear and scratch test method was developed based on the post-consumer packaging. Currently, 7 reuse relevant polyolefin and polyester-based polymers are being characterised with established wear methodology. The outputs will be analysed along with complementary indentation hardness tests, impact, and quasi-static tensile tests to identify Swiss partner funded by Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor REA can be held responsible for them. key polymer characteristics and functionalities contributing to packaging safety and wear resistance. The safety of aged specimens will be evaluated by National Institute of Chemistry (NIC, Slovenia) in terms of e.g., microplastics. GreenDelta (GD, Germany) is conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) on environmental impact of industrial and conventional washing-drying practices applied for reusable plastic packaging. The relevant data is collected in collaboration with GD and Remondis (RE, Germany). Based on the preliminary results, a clear reduction in climate change impact was realised when using continuous type dishwashing approach over hood-type machines, due to increased water and energy efficiency. Adjusting the model to reflect a different grid mix (Germany vs Finland) showed that electricity consumption was a clear hotspot for climate change impact. Overall, the progress is task T4.2 is 52% by M18, and the final results will be reported in D4.2 (due M32). The research progress aligns with key performance indicators outlined in the grant agreement.