Six different types of systems are described which are preferably used for different goods. These systems are normally organised based on private contracts within the branches and markets where contractors are in direct competition to one another. These reuse systems are difficult to build up and maintain. Each legal instrument and regulation must be aware of these existing structures so as not to hinder or destroy the functioning of the reuse systems. The more often an individual reuse packaging is reused, the greater the environmental and economic benefit. The average number of trips or rotations is one of the most relevant parameters of reuse systems under Life Cycle Assessment and consequently, are called for in the EU-Packaging Directive. An overview of published data on number of trips/rotations is given in relation to the technical and organisational parameters of the reuse systems analysed. These figures give an impression of the variety of the number of trips in the many differently structured reuse packaging systems.
