The four consumer facing models - and a note on B2B
There are four different business-to-consumer (B2C) reusereuseThe repeated use of a product or component for its intended purpose without significant modification. models. They differ depending on the ownership of the packaging — i.e. whether the packaging is refilled or returned — and where the refill/return occurs.
Refill at home
Users refill their reusable container at home (e.g. with refills delivered through a subscription service).
Refill on the go
Users refill their reusable container away from home (e.g. at an in-store dispensing system).
Return from home
Packaging is picked up from home by a collection service (e.g. by a logistics company).
Return on the go
Users return the packaging at a store or drop-off point (e.g. in a deposit return machine or a mailbox).
B2B packaging and reuse
In addition to the four B2C reuse models, a wide range of business-to-business (B2B) reuse models exist. These can range from individual companies reusing their own transport packaging, to industry-wide reuse systems based on interconnected operators managing a shared set of standardised, reusable packaging.
Read more about reuse on p.72 in the full guide.
