GreenBiz

From cups and containers to crates and pallets, reusable packaging has gained public praise and market momentum. But as health and safety concerns take center stage, the future of reuse has been called into question.

A growing number of coffee shops have stopped accepting customer to-go mugs, and some grocers are prohibiting reusable shopping bags due to fears of virus transmission — all while some municipalities have delayed or paused bans and restrictions on single-use options. While many of these actions have been driven more by fear than fact, the question remains: Will perceptions of reuse be tainted in the era of COVID-19? And what will it take to ensure the continued growth of the emerging market for reusable packaging while ensuring health and safety? This interview will explore the science behind these safety considerations, the state of reusable packaging, as well as the business case for championing reuse at scale.

The demand for recycled plastics has skyrocketed — so much so that brands and packaging producers are experiencing limited supply. This is due, in part, to ambitious recycled-content commitments by CPG giants. Meanwhile, crude oil prices have plummeted in recent months, promising bargain prices for virgin plastics that will threaten the economics of using recycled materials.

Can the market effectively adapt? Will infrastructure investment continue to reduce the expense of using recycled plastic or will the cost proposition of virgin materials outweigh environmental commitments? Join this panel to hear perspectives from stakeholders across the value chain — from plastics producers to brands to recyclers and investors.

Stay tuned for additional speakers! 

The decision to throw away a product often boils down to the failure of a single component: a faulty zipper, an old battery, a broken button. Given that 73 percent of consumers are willing to adapt consumption habits to reduce their environmental impact, the typical practice of tossing a broken item is ripe for disruption.

A growing number of businesses — from fashion to electronics — are enabling the repair and life extension of their products. With diverse repair models and offerings, these initiatives strengthen customer loyalty while lightening environmental footprints. During these unprecedented times, when consumers are unable to exit their homes and replace a broken product, the opportunity for repair is all the more poignant. This panel will discuss the potential and power of repair models, exploring how forward-thinking brands are navigating logistical and economic considerations, empowering consumers and strengthening community resilience.

Stay tuned for additional speakers! 

Connect with like-minded participants for interactive virtual discussions around a curated circular economy topic. Select your topic of interest to join a group discussion led by a moderator. The group will then be split into virtual, self-moderated roundtables of up to 8 participants — allowing for deeper conversation around the topic you care about most. Bring your own challenges, questions and ideas to these free-form discussions.

Topics will include:

• Enabling Repair and Product Life Extension
• Market Momentum for Recycled Plastics 
• Food Recovery and Redistribution 
• Resilience Through Business Model Innovation
• Bringing Reusable Packaging to Scale
• Navigating Product Take-Back and Reverse Logistics 

Links to access Virtual Roundtables will be made available to registrants within the event's platform. To join, please be sure to register.