Local Solutions for Global Issues: The Role of Municipalities in Waste Reduction
Shifting to a circular economy has become a priority around the globe. Genci Kojdheli and Angelina Schreiner highlight why reuse is key in the packaging sector – and how local governments can support the transition.
Reusable packaging systems are re-emerging all over the world. Not long ago, they were a common part of our everyday lives. However, in our linear economic system, single-use replaced the reusable packaging options and led to the waste crisis we are facing today.
Reuse is a circular approach, where packaging is cleaned, refilled, and used repeatedly. There are different reuse models, both at the business-to-consumer and business-to-business level. They differ depending on the ownership of the reusable container and where a container is refilled – at home, or in a store. Reuse value chains offer multiple benefits as they conserve resources, prevent waste, and create job opportunities. As a result, more and more reuse businesses are emerging globally, for example, in the food and beverage sector, for cosmetic, homecare, and grocery products.
Enabling a Circular Economy Transition through Reuse Packaging
The public sector can be crucial in driving the transition – nationally and locally. Local authorities can apply various urban policy levers to enable the circular economy transition. These range from softer measures like roadmaps, convening, or partnering to harder ones such as public procurement, financial support, legislation, and regulation.
Some city governments are already leading the way by creating the right framework conditions. For instance, Tübingen in Southern Germany has introduced a municipal tax on single-use plastics in the takeaway sector.
The GIZ project Circular City Labs (CCL) supports the reuse journey of businesses and municipalities in Colombia, Georgia, Albania, and South Africa. In the labs, stakeholders come together to discuss suitable reusable packing systems in the local context. Trainings on reuse, business development, and female leadership complement the offer, targeting especially women-led businesses and female entrepreneurs. Just recently, pilots have launched in each city.
Municipalities Actively Support Reuse Journey
The role of the city administration can be multifaceted. The city hall in Medellín, for example, supports the Xiclo company and its founder Ana Maria Villegas in testing her reuse system including technical solutions and the tracking of return rate in the city hall’s main building. The Environment Secretariat coordinates with relevant departments to ease the new system’s implementation. Within the first implementation phase, the pilot will operate in the main building’s cafeteria, replacing single-use cups and bowls. The pilot is estimated to prevent 0.55 tonnes of waste monthly. Additionally, the city will assess the feasibility of including reuse criteria in the procurement guidelines of the city hall’s catering and restaurant operators. This aims to anchor reuse permanently.
In Albania, the Municipality of Tirana has supported CCL’s reuse journey since the beginning, for instance, by informing relevant businesses on the opportunities of reuse and therefore sending a strong political signal. Together with the project partner ICLEI, the municipality assesses options for introducing reuse at its public events.
“We believe that it is important to first take a closer look at the legislation to better understand the extent to which we, as a local government, can influence businesses currently using single-use packaging,” says Genci Kojdheli, General Director of Integration, Strategic Planning and Economic Development at the Municipality of Tirana. He adds: “A comprehensive overview of the law will allow us to assess how much room we have to encourage or regulate change in the private sector.”
Involving National Authorities and Businesses Is Imperative
Another challenge the Municipality of Tirana faces is the need to harmonise and coordinate with the central government. Since packaging regulations often require alignment at the national level, it is critical to collaborate closely to ensure consistency and effectiveness when policies are implemented.
Equally important is analysing the cost impact on private businesses. Transitioning to reusable packaging systems presents potential financial implications for local businesses, which must be considered carefully. Therefore, measuring the impact on business operations and finding ways to support them through this transition is essential.
Encouraging Sustainable Consumer Behaviour
Furthermore, exploring the potential for growth in businesses that adopt reuse and recycling practices is crucial. It is to be expected that such changes could lead to new opportunities for local companies. However, this must be evaluated through data and case studies to provide a clear picture of the long-term benefits.
Lastly, the importance of public awareness cannot be underestimated. Engaging citizens and encouraging sustainable consumer behaviour will be key to the success of any transition towards reusable packaging. “Public education and outreach need to be a central part of our strategy. The young generation represents strong potential, being future consumers and a driving force behind social and environmental change,” says Genci Kojdheli.
Young people have the best capacity to shape future habits if presented early on with sustainable practices, while their environmentally conscious choices can drive demand for eco-friendly products. Youth have strong capacities to shape society through social media, raising awareness and pushing local companies toward sustainable packaging. As potential drivers of innovation, they are also prone to new ideas and technologies, which can create sustainable businesses and alternatives.
To conclude, actions are required on various levels to successfully implement reusable packaging systems. City administrations can play a key role in enabling the transition to a more circular economy jointly with companies.
