The Refill & Reuse Systems Handbook - Part 1: Why Refill & Reuse Systems - Plastic Reboot

The Refill & Reuse Systems Handbook was developed through a collaborative process bringing together global expertise and local insights. This work was led by Perpetual, in close partnership with WWF, as part of the Plastic Reboot Programme. At the core of the Handbook is the 5-Part Primer, which introduces the foundational concepts, system components, and enabling conditions needed to design effective refill and reuse systems.

This is Part 1 of the handbook, available for download in English, French and Spanish.

Find more information on the full 5-part primer here.

Part 1 of the Primer explores why refill and reuse matter, beginning with a shared understanding of what these systems are and how they differ from other plastic reduction strategies. In this section, you will learn:

• What refill and reuse systems are and what they are not

• The environmental, human health, social, and economic impacts of single-use packaging

• The benefits and opportunities associated with reuse and refill systems

• Why existing solutions alone will not be enough to address plastic pollution

• Why reuse is increasingly recognized as one of the most effective strategies for reducing waste and pollution at scale