The U.S. Plastics Pact (USPP) released Reuse in Retail Initiative (RRI) Scoping Phase: What We Learned and Where We are Going Next, outlining the program鈥檚 future scope鈥攊ncluding the product category, reuse model, and region鈥攁nd key policy levers to accelerate the growth of consumer-facing reuse in retail systems. Launched in 2025, the RRI is a strategic collaboration between the USPP, Upstream, and WRAP aimed at accelerating the shift to reusable packaging in retail within a packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) state.
RRI is structured as a long鈥憈erm, iterative implementation model that builds on past pilots, shared costs, and actionable initiatives. Its cross-retailer, cross-brand approach sets it apart, expanding accessibility to consumers and helping drive higher participation and return rates.
RRI鈥檚 Scoping Phase included interactive educational sessions and workshop discussions with nine companies and organization to define a recommended path forward, and produced three tangible outputs for participating companies: end鈥憈o鈥慹nd system maps, a consumer experience strategy, and a stakeholder analysis matrix.
RRI鈥檚 Future Scope of Activities
Product Category 鈥� Prepared food emerged as the recommended product category for an initial launch primarily due to the ease of implementation into retailers鈥� existing back鈥憃f鈥慼ouse operations. Offering a wide range of product categories and SKUs in reusable packaging increases consumer exposure to the system, which strengthens familiarity and improves return rates. Other highly ranked product categories for additional launches included fresh produce, home care, and personal care.
Reuse Model 鈥� The report identifies return鈥憃n鈥憈he鈥慻o as the preferred reuse model, offering consumers an experience similar to single鈥憉se packaging while reducing operational barriers for retailers, such as spills refilling products in store aisles.
Region 鈥� Portland, Maine was selected for the initial launch because its robust deposit return system (DRS) provides a foundational infrastructure and established consumer return habits. The area is also advancing reuse through existing and upcoming local initiatives, including efforts at universities and retailers.
The report also identifies several policy levers that can accelerate the growth of reuse in retail, including EPR fee structures that incentivize pre-competitive collaboration on reuse programs, investment in return infrastructure by Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), integration of reuse into DRS and EPR legislation and other regulations, and public procurement and community pilots to catalyze market adoption.
Crystal Bayliss, Interim Executive Director at the U.S. Plastics Pact, said, 鈥淚n RRI鈥檚 Scoping Phase, we learned that scaling reuse in retail environments requires moving beyond one鈥憃ff pilots. Isolated efforts won鈥檛 build the type of system consumers need, and the RRI offers a unique opportunity to access a wide range of expertise in one place. Real progress happens only when the full value chain works together鈥攕haring costs, reducing friction, and designing solutions that truly work for consumers, retailers, brands, and supply chain operators. Collaborative, multi鈥憇takeholder initiatives like this are an incredibly powerful tool to accelerate that shift, helping companies meet emerging packaging EPR reuse mandates. We welcome companies to join this exciting effort.鈥�
Leah Karrer, PhD, Executive Director for Americas at WRAP, commented, 鈥淲e are delighted with the outcomes of this important phase in our journey to mainstream options for reuseable packaging to millions more people. This is a huge undertaking and offers enormous benefits for both businesses and the environment. The two key takeaways I’m excited by is offering product categories and SKUs in reusable packaging to strengthen consumer adoption, and with return鈥憃n鈥憈he鈥慻o as the preferred model. The next stage is crucial, working towards consumer participation by designing a streamlined reuse system collaboratively. I’d urge other businesses to join those already paving the way to making reusable packaging the norm, and stay abreast of this exciting and rapidly developing new marketplace.鈥�
Crystal Dreisbach, CEO at Upstream, said, 鈥淭he question has never been whether reuse works鈥攊t’s whether we can build the systems to make it work at scale. This initiative answers that challenge head-on, with the kind of cross-retailer, cross-brand collaboration that can actually move the needle. Portland, Maine is a smart starting point, and the path to California and beyond is already taking shape.鈥�
The USPP is currently looking ahead to RRI鈥檚 next phase, the Program Design Phase, expected to begin in mid鈥�2026. This phase will focus on collaboratively designing the reverse logistics system and packaging design, creating the consumer experience plan, and selecting a system operator for subsequent phases. Following the targeted in鈥憇tore launch in 2028, RRI intends to expand to additional product categories and regions, including California.