Reuse and refill

Reuse and refill models are two of the most powerful strategies in the waste hierarchy and the circular economy. Reuse extends the useful life of products, packaging and materials through repeated use, while refill systems allow a container to be filled again, avoiding the production of a new one.

Both strategies are seen as essential for reducing the generation of waste, the consumption of raw materials, the material footprint, the emissions tied to making packaging and the pressure on waste-management systems. In the European waste hierarchy, reuse sits immediately after prevention and takes priority over recycling, recovery and disposal, while refill has become a structural component of new sustainable-consumption models.

Key concepts

Reuse

The repeated use of a product or container for the same purpose for which it was designed, without any significant reprocessing.

Preparing for reuse

Checking, cleaning, repairing or refurbishing so that a product that has already become waste can be used again. See preparing for reuse.

Refill

A system in which a container is filled again, at home, in store or at a dedicated point, without creating a new container.

Reusable packaging

Packaging designed to be used many times, meeting criteria for durability, safety and repair.

Regulatory framework

Reuse and refill are driven directly by several pieces of EU and Spanish legislation:

Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC)

Prioritises prevention and reuse, and sets national obligations to strengthen preparation for reuse. See the Waste Framework Directive.

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 replaces the old Packaging Directive 94/62/EC. It entered into force in February 2025 and applies from 12 August 2026. It introduces binding reuse targets that start on 1 January 2030 (for example, around 40% of transport packaging reused EU-wide and refill obligations for large retailers, which must allocate at least 10% of sales area over 400 m² to refill stations), restricts certain single-use formats and promotes standardised reusable packaging.

Spanish Law 7/2022

Includes targets to reduce single-use packaging, mandatory measures to encourage reuse (hospitality, dispensers, bulk sales) and an obligation to accept reusable containers brought by customers. See Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soil.

Spanish Circular Economy Strategy 2030

Sets goals to increase reuse in key sectors, promote refill and responsible-consumption models and develop preparation-for-reuse infrastructure. See the Spanish Circular Economy Strategy 2030.

ESPR

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation will require durability, repairability and compatibility with refill.

Reuse models

• Direct reuse: a product is used as is, multiple times, such as returnable glass bottles, returnable hospitality containers or long-life fabric bags.
• Deposit-return schemes (DRS): the user pays a small deposit and recovers it when the container is returned, common for beer, soft-drink and water bottles. See deposit-return schemes.
• Refurbishment and repair: preparation for reuse of electronics (WEEE), furniture and textiles.
• Reusable packaging in retail: reuse in supermarkets and shops using compatible containers.

Refill models

• In-store refill: dispensers, bulk sales or refill stations for detergents, cosmetics, dry food (cereals, pasta) and drinks.
• At-home refill: base containers topped up with concentrated capsules or refills for cleaning products, personal care and liquid food.
• Hospitality refill: systems for drinks, beer, filtered water and oils.
• Assisted refill: with dedicated staff and equipment for cosmetics and delicate products.

Environmental benefits

Reuse and refill reduce waste by avoiding single-use products and packaging, save raw materials and lower the material footprint, and cut the carbon footprint because emissions fall significantly when a container is reused several times. The number of cycles needed to outperform single-use packaging depends on the material and the return system: life-cycle assessment studies typically point to more cycles for glass than for lightweight plastics, and the highest reuse potential for durable steel and aluminium formats. Reuse also eases logistical pressure (less waste means less transport and lower transport emissions, relevant to ISO 14083) and reduces embodied energy by avoiding industrial and thermal processing.

Economic and social benefits

• Lower packaging costs over time.
• New circular business models.
• Jobs in repair, reverse logistics and preparation for reuse.
• Customer loyalty through refill systems.
• Sustainable positioning and brand differentiation.

Indicators and measurement

The most relevant KPIs include the number of reuse cycles, the return rate in deposit-return schemes, the share of reusable versus single-use packaging, the volume of waste avoided (kg), the reduction in material footprint (t), avoided emissions (CO₂e) and the monthly or annual refill rate. These indicators feed into reporting under ESRS E5 (resource use and circular economy) within the CSRD, GRI 306 on waste, and extended producer responsibility obligations for packaging, electronics and textiles.

Strategic sectors

Reuse and refill apply across food and drink (returnable glass bottles, reusable takeaway containers, drink refill systems), cosmetics and personal care (capsule refills, in-store dispensers, aluminium refill packs), household cleaning (concentrates that top up base bottles), textiles (reuse through second-hand platforms), retail (growth of bulk sales and smart dispensers) and hospitality, which has the greatest reuse potential by sheer number of containers.

Risks and barriers

• The logistics of returns in deposit-return schemes.
• Upfront infrastructure costs.
• Consumer reluctance.
• Hygiene risks if systems are poorly managed.
• Lack of packaging standardisation.
• In some cases, higher initial investment than recycling.

Innovation in reuse and refill

Innovations supporting these models include the Digital Product Passport for returnable packaging, blockchain for traceability across use cycles, artificial intelligence to optimise returns and deposits, smart packaging with QR codes and sensors, automated refill devices in supermarkets, modular and standardised packaging, and ultra-durable materials developed for many cycles.

Relationship with the circular economy

Reuse and refill reduce demand for resources, prevent waste before it is generated, help close material loops, ease pressure on recycling and landfill, and strengthen resilience against material scarcity. They are central to the goals of the Spanish and European circular-economy strategies, and progress is increasingly tracked through a circularity index and through responsible-consumption indicators.

At Manglai we help companies measure their carbon footprint and prepare their sustainability reporting, including the circular-economy metrics required under ESRS E5. Discover how Manglai can help you.