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# What is the state of reusable and refillable packaging in Europe?
- URL: https://www.packagingeurope.com/what-is-the-state-of-reusable-and-refillable-packaging-in-europe/
- Published: 2026-11-09T10:54:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-09T10:54:55.000Z
- Author: Packaging Europe staff writers
- Tags: Sustainability, reuse, Sustainable Packaging Summit

**New ERA and Zero Waste Europe have just launched the 2026 European Reuse Barometer, which draws on survey results and key sector data to provide an overview on the current state of reuse and refill in Europe.**

The [third edition](https://www.reusebarometer.eu/) of this yearly report launches today, and will be presented on the 11th of November at Packaging Europe’s [Sustainable Packaging Summit](https://www.packagingsummit.earth/event/d66d241d-085d-41f3-90e8-ac135fa07043/summary) in Utrecht.

Of 113 respondents, 77% say they are at scale-up or in-market stage, and 62% claim to be fully in-market. Meanwhile, return rates seem to be high – eight out of 11 B2B respondents report rates above 95%, and seven out of eight consumer-facing companies that use penalty-based or hybrid return mechanisms report rates above 90%.

Respondents also said that policy and economic conditions are the most important factors when it comes to scaling. More robust regulation, EPR schemes, and efforts to create a more level playing field between single-use and reuse were the most frequently cited potential fixes.

In terms of specific measures, respondents suggested taxes on single-use packaging where reusable or bulk alternatives already exist, as well as subsidies for reuse and bulk. Roughly half of participants report having positive relationships with EPR organisations, but others report limited, unclear, negative or absent relationships. 

Hiring within the industry is also set to increase – 95% of responding companies plan to recruit within two years, creating approximately 690 new roles.

The full Barometer interactive report includes European-level coverage of refill, with results organised by PPWR packaging categories.

“The ERB reveals a growing market for circular products and services that generates jobs, drives innovation and attracts investment, challenging some of the myths around reuse,” says Ángel Rodríguez Moreno, senior manager public affairs, Europe at CHEP.

“In B2B environments, for example, the ERB shows that reusable packaging in reuse systems has supported European value chains at industrial scale for decades, strengthening their competitiveness and resilience while contributing to the EU’s environmental goals.” 

**If you liked this story, you might also enjoy:**

[*The ultimate guide to global packaging sustainability regulation in 2026*](https://packagingeurope.com/features/report-the-ultimate-guide-to-global-packaging-sustainability-regulation-in-2026/14625.article/)

[*PPWR timeline: the key dates to know*](https://packagingeurope.com/features/ppwr-timeline-the-key-dates-to-know/14377.article)

[*A closer look at the most innovative packaging solutions*](https://packagingeurope.com/features/the-ultimate-guide-to-packaging-innovation-in-2026/13821.article)

[*Strategic learnings from the Sustainable Packaging Summit*](https://packagingeurope.com/features/strategic-learnings-from-the-2025-sustainable-packaging-summit/13750.article)