About this article
Answering these questions isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. That’s why we teamed up with the University of Exeter and Bunzl Catering Supplies to dig deeper into the sustainability of packaging options. In this blog post, Justin Turquet, Director of Sustainability at Bunzl Catering & Hospitality Division, shares some key insights from our research.
28 Oct 2024
7 min
Jet Kolkman
Why conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) on disposable and reusable packaging?
Sustainability isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, and there’s no single packaging solution that works for every organisation. Our findings can help you make informed decisions on the best food packaging options for your business, particularly when it comes to carbon footprint.
What did we do?
We compared two of our best-selling disposable and reusable products—a cup and a food container for each. For all four, we calculated their carbon footprints, expressed in CO2 equivalents. This study also took into account the water and energy used to wash reusable products throughout each cycle as well as any emissions from extra transportation to and from the washing location.
“Because we applied the same methods and assumptions to all, the results are directly comparable,” explains Justin.
Key finding 1: Manufacturing dominates the carbon footprint
Across the full lifecycle of the products, manufacturing was responsible for the majority of carbon emissions, ranging from 48% to 89%. This includes everything from the raw materials to the production process. Other factors—like transportation, end-of-life processing, and outer packaging—contributed to the rest of the carbon emissions.
What does this mean? “To reduce our carbon footprint, we need to be mindful of the materials we choose. Products designed for reuse and recycling make sense for a sustainable packaging strategy,” Justin notes.
Key finding 2: More reuses mean more carbon offset
“When you use a disposable cup or container, every new drink or food order adds the same carbon footprint. When you refill packaging the footprint is high for the first use but only increases by a small amount each time you reuse the cup or container.” Justin explains.
The LCA showed us the break-even points where reusables start to outperform disposables:
- Reusable cups: After 4 uses, the carbon footprint of a reusable starts to improve on a disposable option.
- Reusable containers: These are heavier than cups so you start to improve on disposable options after 6 uses.
So, if your organisation can recapture and reuse cups 4 times and containers 6 times, switching to reusables could be a smart move. However, these figures assume no loss of products and on-site washing.
Key finding 3: A high return rate is crucial
For reusables to deliver on their sustainability promise, they need to be returned and reused. While that sounds obvious, the data has confirmed this. We also looked at the affect that loss rates through a cycle had on these figures:
- If 30% of reusable cups are lost, they will never break even with disposables.
- If 20% of reusable containers are lost, the same applies.
This means you should aim for a return rate of 80–90% to ensure that reusables cut carbon emissions. With our Verive 360 service offering, we can support you in building an effective reusable packaging system that optimises return rates.
Key finding 4: Washing has a small impact
Customers often ask how sustainable it is to wash reusable packaging, especially when done off-site by a professional washing partner. The LCA looked at this, too.
“The impact of washing—whether on-site or off-site—turns out to be relatively minor. For cups, the break-even remains at 3 to 4 uses, regardless of where they’re washed. For containers, it shifts slightly, with off-site washing requiring one extra use to break even,” Justin says.
Assuming collection in a diesel-powered truck and a round trip of 50kms, you’ll offset carbon after 4 uses whether you wash on-site or off-site. For containers, you’ll break even after 6 reuses with on-site washing and 7 with off-site.
Curious what type of washing suits your business best? We outline the pros and cons of on-site and off-site washing in this article.
Should you switch to reusables?
Before making the switch, there are a few important factors to consider:
- Aim for at least an 80-90% return rate. Design your system to achieve this, monitor the results, and intervene when necessary. We’re happy to help you optimise your return systems.
- Maximise the number of reuses. While all Verive’s reusable cups and containers are designed to last at least 125 washing cycles, your system should support frequent reuses. Beyond the break-even point, each reuse saves more carbon.
- Washing has minimal impact. Whether on-site or off-site, washing only marginally affects the carbon impact, particularly for cups.
- Value your packaging. Since manufacturing contributes the most to the overall carbon footprint, reusing your packaging as much as possible is essential.
For a quick overview of the findings, download our infographic (go to ‘Verive 360’ on the Dowload page).
We’re here to help
Want to know more about our LCA or need advice on the best reusable system for your business? Get in touch today for tailored guidance and support.
Jet Kolkman
There's no one size fits all in sustainability. Let us help you find the right fit for you!
