@zleap where i live its difficult to generate any less waste because most of my current waste output is forced by upstream.
we have glass jars and the like, but it's not possible to take them and get them refilled with beans. you have to buy packaged pinto beans and then bin the plastic. maybe the plastic is recyclable (sometimes it's wax paper or something that isn't) but it would involve even less energy to just refill a jar. but it's literally not an option.
this is why forcing people to have skin in the game is imperative.