How does returnable packaging work : the mechanisms that regulate returnable packaging to save money and precious resources for the environment.
The returnable container is a system that allows the reuse of packaging, thus avoiding its ending up in landfill. It is a form of recycling with multiple economic and environmental advantages.
Empty to lose or empty to return
When talking about cans or plastic packaging, the term used is “returnable “; these are still recyclable materials (aluminium and PET) but they have a greater impact on the environment than glass bottles, ” returnable” .
Non-returnable containers are usually disposable materials, although some companies produce non-returnable containers that could actually be reused, see the case of Nutella jars, which are still made of glass (and potentially non-returnable) but there is no recovery mechanism, except for creative recycling carried out individually by citizens and the glass-shaped Nutella jars).
Only in rare cases does the term “ returnable container ” accompany PET bottles, usually these are disposed of in the separate plastic collection but some producers have experimented with the direct reuse of plastic bottles. It has been observed that a PET bottle can be reused up to 20 times
Returnable containers, economic advantages
A glass bottle, with the returnable vacuum system , can be reused up to 40 times thus saving precious resources such as raw materials and energy.
Returnable glass bottles can be returned by the consumer and then refilled approximately 30 to 40 times; in reality, a bottle, in ideal conditions, can withstand up to a maximum of 50 use cycles, after which it can be recycled as glass.
A new glass bottle contains 60 to 80 percent recycled glass.
Returnable containers, environmental benefits
The first advantage is the saving of virgin resources and the energy saving connected to the production of new bottles. Industrial production processes cause damage to the environment, in the case of glass bottles we are talking in particular about air and water pollution.
A second advantage is connected to the lower production of waste. A third environmental advantage is in the cuts in freight transport: most companies use returnable containers with their products and with deliveries to customer-distributors, in this way they avoid long transports and consequently also the related CO2 emissions.
The void to make it even more efficient
If you think that the 30 – 40 life cycles faced by glass bottles are the ultimate in returnable containers, you are wrong. Returnable polycarbonate bottles can be reused up to a maximum of 80 cycles. Polycarbonate can thus be considered an environmentally friendly and practical packaging with good qualities for storage, low weight, resistance and maintenance of the quality of the content.
How does returnable packaging work?
Empty bottles for citizens
Generally, those who buy products in returnable containers pay a deposit that is refunded when they are returned. A practical example: a user buys a drink that costs 1.25 euros, including the glass bottle. When the user decides to return the bottle, the sum of 25 cents that served as a deposit will be refunded.
In Germany, the returnable system is very common in the city culture. There are people who collect beer bottles to present at the supermarket to get their deposit back. In this context, another environmental benefit includes cleaner streets and public areas!
Deposit and return of the empty bottle
The deposit that the customer pays for the bottle usually amounts to 15 to 25 cents per “empty bottle”. The “empty bottle” must be returned clean and the user must be careful not to damage the bottles. If the bottle is damaged, it can no longer be returned and must be separated with the glass collection .
