Many Happy Returns - Enabling Reusable Packaging Systems

Many people think recycling is the best way to deal with plastic waste, but recycling has many problems, not least that it encourages a throwaway culture. However, by keeping material in circulation for as long as possible, reuse can be a more sustainable packaging solution. In this film, we explore how the Many Happy Returns research team at the University of Sheffield use insights from disciplines as varied as linguistics and chemistry to work out how to get reuse into the mainstream for food packaging. Learn about the Vytal scheme which has been introduced in campus cafes and allows people to reuse takeaway bowls and cups and provides important data on how people react to reuse.

The team are aiming to drive business and behaviour change through evidence and is providing this evidence, the business models and materials to make that happen.