What We Learned and
Where We Are Going Next
In Partnership with
and
The Purpose of This Resource
Launched in 2025, the Reuse In Reuse in Retail Initiative (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. It is structured as a long‑term, iterative implementation model, grounded in creating actionable initiatives, shared costs, and building off past pilots.
The RRI Scoping Phase took place in late 2025 with nine participating companies and organizations, and included a series of interactive educational sessions and corresponding workshop discussions to decide on a recommended future scope for the initiative—including the product category, reuse model, and region. This report outlines this scope, as well as key policy levers to accelerate the growth of consumer-facing reuse in retail systems.
Progressing from Scope to Design
The USPP is currently looking ahead to the next phase of the RRI—the Program Design Phase—which is expected to begin in mid‑2026 with sufficient interest from brands and retailers. This phase will focus on collaboratively designing the reverse logistics system, packaging design, creating the consumer experience plan, and selecting a system operator for subsequent phases. Following the targeted in‑store launch in 2028 and initial monitoring and iterating, the RRI intends to expand to additional product categories and regions, including California.
“In the Scoping Phase we learned that if we want reuse to scale in retail environments, we have to move beyond one‑off pilots. Isolated efforts won’t build the type of system consumers actually need, and the RRI offers a unique opportunity to access a wide range of expertise all in one place. Real progress happens only when the full value chain works together—sharing costs, reducing friction, and designing solutions that truly work for consumers, retailers, brands, and supply chain operators. Collaborative, multi‑stakeholder 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.”
– Crystal Bayliss, Interim Executive Director
U.S. Plastics Pact