Return to Reuse:
The potential role for Waikato's territorial authorities and resource recovery sector in support reverse logistics for reusable packaging
JULY 2024
About this report
This report was commissioned by Waikato Regional Council to explore the current and future role of territorial authorities (TAs) and the resource recovery sector in supporting reusable packaging systems through service provision. Combining both desktop research and in-depth workshops and interviews, the report considers the appropriateness, willingness, capacity and needs of the Waikato region’s resource recovery system to engage in reverse logistics activities to help recirculate reusable packaging (e.g. collection, returns, sorting, washing and redistribution).
The full report
The study found local and international examples of the waste and resource recovery sector collecting and processing reusable packaging for reuse. These are shared in case studies appended to the report.
In workshops and interviews with Waikato TA waste officers and the region’s resource recovery operators, Reuse Aotearoa found reasonably high levels of willingness to participate in reusable packaging reverse logistics, along with existing infrastructural and operational capacity that could be leveraged and built upon to expand services to reusable packaging, so long as key needs relating to certainty, resourcing and collaboration are met.
The report highlights four opportunities that Waikato TAs could harness in partnership with waste and resource recovery operators to advance the sector’s provision of reusable packaging reverse logistics services in the region:
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- collective, multi-stakeholder forums to advance work focused on reusable packaging reverse logistics
- reusable packaging action plans and programmes for the resource recovery system
- procuring, funding or providing in-kind support for reverse logistics
- an action-based reusable packaging reverse logistics project (or projects).
Disclaimer
This technical report has been prepared for the use of Waikato Regional Council as a reference document and as such does not constitute council’s policy. Council requests that if excerpts or inferences are drawn from this document for further use by individuals or organisations, due care should be taken to ensure that the appropriate context has been preserved, and is accurately reflected and referenced in any subsequent spoken or written communication. While Waikato Regional Council has exercised all reasonable skill and care in controlling the contents of this report, council accepts no liability in contract, tort or otherwise, for any loss, damage, injury or expense (whether direct, indirect or consequential) arising out of the provision of this information or its use by you or any other party.
This report contains case studies and/or images that feature or mention various businesses and organisations. The mention of, and/or inclusion of images from, a business or organisation does not indicate these businesses or organisations endorse the contents of this document. For this research project, a number of individuals were interviewed and/or participated in a workshop, as representatives of the organisations they work for. All interviewees, workshop participants and the organisations they work for remain anonymous. Where possible, we have sought to share the insights and reflections of the participants in their own words.
Acknowledgements
Lead author and researcher: Hannah Blumhardt (Reuse Aotearoa)
Co-author and researcher: Polly Brownlee (Reuse Aotearoa)
Co-researchers and workshop design and facilitation: Rachel Glasier (Envision) and Michelle Howie (Envision)
Peer Review: Karen Driver (Independent Consultant)