From your experience with refillable cleaning products, what have you learned about consumer behaviour? What truly motivates people to reuse?

There are several reasons why consumers bring back their bottles to refill:

1. 1. Economic motivation: Refilling allows them to save money by keeping and reusing their existing container.
   2. A sense of ownership: The bottle becomes “theirs”—many even write their names on it. It stops being packaging and becomes a small personal object, almost a domestic tool.
   3. Human connection: There is a person behind every refill. People often return bottles clean out of respect for the person who receives and refills them—almost like “doing the homework.”
   4. Visible environmental impact: Reuse feels tangible. Bringing the bottle, watching it being refilled, and taking it home again creates a strong sense of purpose.
   5. Social impact: Many customers bring back unused bottles because they know we collaborate with cooperatives that clean or recycle them. This adds a social dimension that reinforces their motivation to participate.
   6. Overall, consumers don’t need pressure—they simply need the opportunity. Brands must design systems that make reuse accessible and meaningful.

Consumers just need the opportunity, brands needs to tackle that.

What enables or hinders small businesses when adopting reuse models in Argentina?

Enablers:

• • Differentiation: Reuse offers small businesses a powerful way to stand apart from global brands, showing genuine care for people, community, and the environment.
  • Customer loyalty: The refill ritual strengthens the relationship between brand and consumer.

Hinders:

• • Lack of government support: There are currently no clear policies, incentives, or tax benefits for reuse-based business models.
  • Infrastructure challenges: Washing facilities are scarce and expensive to install. Existing industrial washing systems in Argentina are typically owned by large companies (e.g., Coca-Cola), which operate them exclusively in-house.

How can deposit systems create incentives for both consumers and businesses?

A DRS can be a strong incentive, but I believe it works best when managed directly by each brand. This preserves the emotional connection consumers have with their container and reinforces the brand relationship. The bottle is not “just an object”—it carries meaning and identity. A though.

Are there any tax incentives for reuse models?

I believe there are currently no tax incentives for reuse systems in Argentina.

What is the biggest barrier to scaling returnable packaging in your context?

The main barrier is funding. Scaling returnable packaging requires investment in collection sites, cleaning and sterilization facilities, and distribution systems. This entire backend infrastructure is currently missing. Funding is needed to build and operate these systems in order to effectively close the loop.

Which policy or ecosystem conditions do you consider essential for reuse systems to scale sustainably?

Several conditions are essential. There must be public education and awareness around the importance of reuse, as well as government buy-in to support and legitimize these systems. Businesses that can easily adopt reuse—such as apothecaries, spice shops, or cafés—are important early adopters, but broader private sector integration is needed for scale. Finally, financial incentives such as concessional loans, grants, or tax incentives are critical, as reuse models are still experimental and require investments in new infrastructure (for example, bulk dispensers for products like shampoo).

What types of cross-sector partnerships are most effective in building trust and making reuse viable?

First, there needs to be a proof of concept or pilot. Following that, effective partnerships must include public engagement (through civil society, NGOs, or community groups), private sector buy-in (such as chambers of commerce, federations of industry, or business associations), and local government involvement. These three actors are essential to integrate reuse into the local economy and ensure long-term viability.

Are there any tax incentives for reuse models?

There should be, although it is unclear whether they currently exist. Tax incentives are justified because reuse systems reduce the burden on municipal waste management.

However, several considerations are important when designing reuse policies. Reuse reduces solid waste but also decreases the amount of recyclable material—particularly high-value items such as rigid plastic containers. While environmentally beneficial, this can negatively impact waste pickers, whose income depends on recyclables. Any economic model for reuse must therefore address this issue and ensure a just transition, including measures to protect livelihoods and prevent resistance.

From the European experience, which single success factor matters most when trying to scale reuse—deposit levels, convenience, or digital traceability?

There is not a single success factor. There are several critical success factors, which can be grouped in packaging, system and behavior parameters. More info here.

Given your work in SIDS and Sub-Saharan Africa, what is the most common mistake countries make when trying to “copy-paste” European models?

Trying to jump to the highly visual, high-tech solutions with all bells & whistles. Whereas the plain and simple set-up often works just as well, or even better in other contexts!

You mentioned that voluntary pilots often fail. What is the most realistic first step governments or businesses can take to move from goodwill to mandatory, scalable reuse?

Develop EPR including reuse targets, and label part of EPR fees to be invested in reuse infrastructure.

What is the biggest barrier to scaling returnable packaging in global south contexts?

Political will & understanding.

Why are countries seeking new systems instead of adapting existing good ones to their local context

You tell me – that’s stupid, right?!

What is often misunderstood about reuse when designing new systems?

What user behaviours have you observed in Indonesia’s refill and reuse pilots, and how did you adapt your model to respond to them?

What key operational differences do you see between urban and peri-urban areas when implementing reuse systems?

How could deposit-return incentives strengthen refill/reuse models in Indonesia?

Is there any global company already implementing any refill model in Yakarta?