California has set one of the most demanding reuse mandates in the world. Under SB 54, a portion of the required 25% reduction in single-use packaging must be achieved specifically through a shift to refillable or reusable systems (CalRecycle, SB 54). Fee obligations kick in from 2027, and packaging redesign cycles typically take three to five years. Yet, for the most part, reuse is still in pilot phase. Getting it to scale means solving for consumer behavior, reverse logistics and unit economics simultaneously.
The US doesn’t need to start from scratch: there’s a lot to learn from markets and localities where reuse infrastructure is already embedded in the system. This session examines what scaling reuse actually demands, and what it takes to make reuse a market reality.
- Design for reuse: Durability, standardisation, logistics compatibility: what are the design non-negotiables, and where are brands already getting it right?
- The infrastructure gap: Collection, cleaning, redistribution and tracking at scale requires coordination across the value chain. How do businesses build a commercially viable reuse system, and who takes ownership of the infrastructure that makes it work?
- Learnings from markets ahead of the curve: Examples of reuse systems in Europe and Asia show the real potential of reuse at retail and urban scale. We’ll discuss what has worked in those markets, and how transferable are those models in the North American context.
What to expect from this type of session...
Main stage sessions, but not as you know them. Because we’re off-the-record, leading experts can speak candidly about their experience with what works, and what doesn’t. At least half the session is dedicated to audience insights and questions to ensure we tackle the big issues head on.
