- A new study from the University of Sheffield is looking to investigate ways to combat plastic waste
- The researchers are looking for participants to get involved who have experience of using reusable packaging, whilst shopping in supermarkets or online, ordering takeaway, or eating out
- Households selected to take part in the project will be helping to influence the design of the reusable packaging systems of the future
Researchers at the university are working with partners from countries across Europe in the BUDDIE-PACK project to investigate how practical reusable plastic packaging could be on a larger scale.
The research aims to identify opportunities to encourage the use of reusable, sustainable, and customer convenient alternatives to single-use plastics.
The project is seeking participants to find out about the packaging they purchase and use. Qualifying households will take part in interviews and be accompanied on a shopping trip, among other activities, and will receive a £50 shopping voucher for their time.
Dr Kristina Diprose, a research associate at the University of Sheffield's Department of Geography, said: “We're all familiar with the negative environmental impact of single use plastic from documentaries such as Blue Planet. But how easy is it to choose alternatives that prevent plastic waste from ending up in landfill and oceans?
“We are looking for households to take part in our study who will be helping to influence the design of the reusable packaging systems of the future.”
The aim of the project is to assess how convenient and accessible reusable packaging currently is, what infrastructure is needed to support it, and what skills or habits people need to acquire to reuse packaging in their everyday lives.
To reduce waste from single use plastic, some businesses are trialling schemes that give customers the option of reusing packaging. This includes refill-at-home products and refill zones in some supermarkets, reusable takeaway cups and containers at food and drink outlets, and some online companies now deliver groceries directly to customers’ doorsteps and then collect packaging for cleaning and reuse.
Dr Diprose added: "It can feel like disposable packaging is everywhere. For example, the average British worker generates 276 items of packaging waste each year just from buying lunch on the go. But reusable packaging is becoming more available. We want to talk to people who've given it a go, to understand more about the barriers and enablers of reuse.
“Most people don’t currently go out of their way to do something different, so we need to design reusable packaging systems that complement the way they currently shop and eat out.”
If you've come across reusable packaging while shopping in supermarkets or online, ordering takeaway, or eating out, the research team would like to hear from you.
You can find out more about taking part by visiting: https://bit.ly/BUDDIEPACKstudy