Events contribute significantly to plastic pollution, largely due to the use of single-use plastic meal packaging like plates and bowls. This results in major environmental issues, as these items are discarded after a single-use. With growing awareness of sustainability and increasing regulatory pressure, more events are transitioning to reusable alternatives. One promising solution is a return system, where visitors use reusable meal packaging and return them correctly. However, in practice, visitors do not always comply, which undermines the effectiveness of the circular system.

This study addresses the question: What are effective behavioural interventions to positively encourage event visitors to use and return reusable meal packaging responsibly? Responsible use and return means handling the meal packaging with care, preventing damage and minimising waste by returning it neatly.

To answer this question, the process began with a combination of literature research, desk research, observations and interviews with experts and event attendees. Key behavioural factors influencing the issue were identified and analysed using the COM-B model, which formed the basis for an iterative design process. This led to the development of five behavioural interventions and a framework.

The interventions were tested at three pilots and achieved an average return rate of 99%, confirming their effectiveness in small-scale open events.

The behavioural interventions and the framework have been compiled into a practical guide for event organisers looking to implement a reusable meal packaging system. It provides guidelines and recommendations to promote responsible visitor behaviour. While this research focuses on small-scale open events, further studies could explore the scalability of these interventions to larger events.