cheaper per use for returnable drink bottles once plastic and carbon taxes are counted

When a plastic tax and a higher carbon price are included, returnable drink bottles cost 28% less per use than single-use (modelled; packaging fees for drink bottles assumed unchanged).

Impact: Business case, Economy

Region: European Union

Value: 28%
Unit: %
Data year: 2023
Trend: Not applicable
Source name: Ellen MacArthur Foundation (a charity; this study was advised by an industry group including Coca-Cola, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever), Unlocking a reuse revolution, 2023
Source link: content.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/m/791a4013fead211e/original/Unlocking-a-reuse-revolution-Scaling-Returnable-Packaging.pdf
Confidence: Evidence: Medium
Caveat / scope: Modelled 'System Change' scenario for France; assumes a plastic tax of €800 a tonne and a carbon price rising from €45 to €100 a tonne (report p. 43).
Verified on: 23 September 2026

Sources last verified 23 September 2026. Page updated 24 September 2026. How we check sources

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