Circular economy infrastructure: Why we need track and trace for reusable packaging

Information and communication technologies are recognised to be sufficiently mature to support trace-ability for reusable packaging at large scale. However, issues of data management, data integration, trust and collaboration in this complex ecosystem remain under-explored. We suggest that Digital Passports and mandatory reporting could provide a way to audit and incentivise reuse of packaging, allowing gov-ernments to focus on prevention and to frame packaging as an asset, rather than inevitably turning into waste after a short single-use cycle. Digital Passports can address business' concerns (or excuses) for not investing in reusable packaging from helping with determining affordability through measuring packag-ing lifespans; meeting health and safety standards through batch coding and evidencing cleaning checks; addressing reputational concerns through clear documentation on the environmental impact of reusable items; and making reusable packaging competitive through waste taxation that actually measures reuse. We explore Digital Passports, not simply as a technical intervention but as boundary objects that are useful in supporting collaboration, identifying points of miscommunication between key actors along the value chain, from misconceptions of health and safety regulations to a distinction between retailers' and manufacturing brands' willingness to invest in reuse. Thus, we provide a solid foundation for future re-search on Digital Passports, the digital circular economy and reusable packaging. (C) 2021 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Digital Passports and mandatory reporting can support the reuse of packaging, shifting governments' focus and addressing businesses' concerns about investing in reusable packaging.