Nineteen million — that is the estimated number of single-use cups and food packaging thrown away every day, after a single use, in The Netherlands alone. Such cups can easily be replaced with reusable alternatives. The question is: Can we build an ecosystem that embeds reusable packaging in our routine, making it the ‘new normal’?
Enviu, along with two other organizations — Recycling Netwerk Benelux and Natuur & Milieu — started a transition program called Mission Reuse to build an ecosystem that makes reusable packaging visible, accessible, and affordable for consumers and companies in their daily lives. Each of the three organizations brings its specialized strengths into the program to enable the transition to reuse in our daily lives.
Enviu innovates and pilots new reuse models to fuel the transition. Recycling Netwerk Benelux is an independent environmental organization formulating policies that promote sustainable materials and models such as reuse. Natuur & Milieu works with stakeholders, companies, and governments to create awareness and a new narrative about the reuse transition.
Together, we drive the transition in three ways:
- Scaling innovation: We conduct collaborative pilots around various reuse aspects, such as reusable cups, meal containers, e-commerce packaging, and return logistics, together with innovative parties and locations ranging from universities, cinemas, and festivals to learn and discover space for innovation.
- Knowledge development and sharing: We engage in extensive research and sharing knowledge on aspects needed to scale up reuse in the Netherlands, such as cleaning facilities, return logistics, and collection points to return reusable packaging.
- Creating a new narrative for citizens and businesses and policy lobbying.
Over the past few years, we have worked closely with governmental agencies and municipalities, innovators, corporate festivals, cinemas, and universities, among others.
To learn more about Mission Reuse, visit: https://missionreuse.com/