Interpool project launched: a European push for reusable glass bottles and jars
The Interpool project officially kicked off in late March. Fourteen organisations from Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands came together in Utrecht to mark the beginning of the 3.5-year collaboration aimed at transforming how reusable glass packaging works across borders. In two days, we started building a team, a foundation, and a plan.
The kick off included working on all aspects required to build or align reuse systems, and gaining insights into the European packaging regulation relevant for Interpool. But we did not just talk about policy: we also learned from the ‘real world’ with field visits to Droppie, PAKT and a Jumbo supermarket.
Why now, and why glass?
Single-use glass is under pressure: prices are surging, production requires energy-intensive ovens reaching 1,500°C, and the current geopolitical climate highlights the need to improve resource independence. At the same time, European legislation via the PPWR is steering towards sustainable packaging, setting targets, rules and guidance for new and existing reusable packaging systems all over the EU. Now is the time to use this momentum and make existing and emerging reuse systems interoperable. For example, annually, 710.000 tons of packaging waste for wine, canned fruit and vegetable products, and oil and vinegar could be avoided in Germany alone. The scale of this opportunity cannot be ignored.
What is Interpool setting out to do?
While some successful reuse systems exist, reuse systems in Europe are often fragmented, locally confined, and complicated by differing national regulations. Interpool aims to change that by creating the enabling conditions for effective transnational reuse pooling, for both primary glass packaging and its secondary packaging, such as crates.
Over the course of the project, partners will
- Map the current policy landscape,
- Document existing glass reuse systems and best practices,
- Pilot solutions transnationally across all for countries,
- Build capacity among retailers, producers, policy-makers, and service providers.
A glimpse of what’s possible
Real action does not come from sitting in meeting rooms! This is why we also set out to see the circularity of (glass) packaging in practice.
At Droppie we learned about the challenges and customer journey for “return-anything” collection. Additionally, in light of the Week of Circular Economy, we hosted a public network lunch and field visit with a field visit to Jumbo Supermarket and PAKT, a specialist in reusable glass packaging. This was an opportunity for (associated) partners, government representatives, professionals from the sector and relevant stakeholders (from glass production to multinational producers) to connect, exchange ideas, and learn from each other.
At Jumbo, participants witnessed a reusable wine bottle system in action, from the consumer journey to the logistics behind the scenes. Local alderman Jelmer Vierstra deposited a reusable wine bottle in their return machine to symbolically kick off Interpool. This system, developed and piloted with the support of Enviu and the Province of South Holland, demonstrates that reuse at scale is not only feasible, but compelling: 30–50% lower packaging costs, 50–85% lower CO₂ emissions, and 70% lower water consumption, with 68% of consumers open to choosing reusable wine bottles.
“Green washing, for real.” This quote stood proudly on the walls of PAKT’s washing installation. Founders Thijs and Peter demonstrated how to close the circular loop by collecting, sorting, and industrially cleaning glass packaging, enabling producers to refill bottles and jars for products ranging from food to beverages. They showcased several innovations, including a pooling system for universal reusable crates and wine bottles designed to streamline logistics and reduce costs.
Get involved
The project can only succeed with input from every part of the supply chain. Therefore, Interpool is looking to get in touch with producers and retailers interested in exploring reuse, for reusable pool system providers looking to scale across borders, and for internationally operating reuse system providers.
Get in touch to find out how your organisation can play a role! Reach out to project lead Emmy Van Daele if you want to stay informed, become part of the stakeholder network, or plan a one-on-one meeting (interpool@fairresourcefoundation.org).
Partners
Fair Resource Foundation (Lead) (NL); Enviu Zero Waste (NL); Provincie Zuid-Holland (NL); Verpact / Kennisinstituut Duurzaam Verpakken (KIDV) (NL); Citeo (FR); Réseau Vrac et Réemploi (FR); Genossenschaft Deutscher Brunnen eG (GDB) (DE); Mehrwegverband Deutschland e.V. (DE); Pro Mehrweg (DE); Fost Plus (BE); Universiteit Antwerpen – REuseLab (BE); Mission Zero Academy (BE / EU); New ERA – New European Reuse Alliance (BE / EU); Zero Waste Europe (BE / EU).
