69% of people in the UK want the government to set legally binding targets for reusable and refillable packaging, according to new research by City to Sea.
The new polling of 2,000 UK adults was commissioned by the environmental charity City to Sea and conducted by Yonder.
75% of shoppers believe reusable packaging must replace single-use packaging to tackle single-use plastic waste.
77% of respondents said they want to see all retailers offer reusable, refillable, and returnable packaging long-term.
The polling also found that 75% of respondents believe the government and businesses must deliver a circular economy to tackle climate change.
Commenting on the survey, Jane Martin, CEO of City to Sea, said: “It’s time for retailers to step up and commit to more sustainable packaging systems.
“Consumers want it, the environment needs it, our economy requires sustainable growth and high street regeneration. Imagine a world of refilling and returning, rather than dumping and burning.”
City to Sea published the research in the run-up to its Global Reuse Summit on 12 March 2025, in partnership with Ecosurety.
“The Global Reuse Summit 2025 brings together people from around the world to hold critical conversations to unlock the new reuse economy,” Martin said. “The market is ready, the opportunity is significant, and the time is now.”
