No, not always: the outcome depends on the actual return rate, number of rotations, container mass, washing energy and distance between the collection point and washing site. It worsens when the logistics loop lengthens or there are few rotations. A heavy reusable crate, washed with hot water then returned empty over 300 km, may have a greater impact than a single-use cardboard box. A life cycle assessment can establish the outcome for a given flow before investing in a reusable pool.
Read the source article: PPWR reuse targets: packaging categories and 2030 quotas