🔄Reuse settings

Reusable packaging systems require complex logistics involving pick up, return, sanitizing, and redistribution of the containers.

# of reuse cycles

# of uses for reusable products

The number of uses for a reusable product is key to achieving potential environmental and circularity gains when compared to single-use packaging. The UP Scorecard provides a baseline value for different reusables, based on expert consultations: see here.

When creating a new reusable product or when customizing a reusable product, the user can adjust this parameter to reflect their real situation.

In the tool, a product is defined as "reusable" if it undergoes at least 5 reuse cycles.

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Example

Example Overall scores for various reusable items with different reuse cycles, and their single-use equivalents.

Washing parameters

The environmental impact of reusables depends on the conditions and efficiency of the repeated washing cycles. The tool lets you adjust the washing logistics system and the washing loads.

Washing logistics system

The collection, return, and washing of reusables may be on-site, or off-site. In the latter case, transport from the point of use to washing facilities is needed. Users can specify which type of logistics system is available in their context, and adjust the transport distance in case they choose off-site options (transport mode is assumed to be by truck).

Washing load

In the tool, default values for the number of items fitting on standardized industrial washing machine racks are defined (see here). The user can adjust these numbers when creating a new product.