John Lewis pilots scheme to encourage ‘reduce, reuse and return’ culture
John Lewis & Partners is piloting scheme at its Oxford shop that will encourage a ‘reduce, reuse and return’ culture amongst its customers.
The trial will be testing ways in which the retailer and its customers can reduce their impact on the environment.
The shop has removed 5p plastic carrier bags as it looks to encourage shoppers to bring their own bag or buy a reusable one instead. The retailer has estimated that the move could save 5,000 tonnes of plastic over the course of a year.
The store will also be piloting a reusable click and collect bag made from 100% recycled materials. One in four customer orders will be delivered to the shop in the reusable bags to enable customers to be handed their orders without any additional packaging. Staff will also offer to remove and recycle any packaging from other click and collect orders.
In place of bubble wrap, the retailer will trial new recyclable wrapping for china and glass products bought in-store. In addition, it will be encouraging customers to bring back any hangers they no longer need for reuse and recycling.
The John Lewis Oxford store will also reward ‘my John Lewis’ customers who bring back empty beauty product packaging with gift vouchers. The Beauty Cycle scheme was tested earlier this year and this week is being permanently introduced to 36 John Lewis shops which have a beauty department.
In addition, customers booking home deliveries in-store will be offered the chance to select an ‘Eco-delivery’ slot.
Stephen Cawley, head of sustainability at John Lewis, said: “Our customers have told us they want us to help them reduce their impact on the planet and that reducing and recycling packaging is key for them.
“Our message that we want customers to take away just the product that they love and reduce and reuse the packaging that they don’t will be clearly communicated throughout the shop. We will listen to customer feedback on this blueprint before deciding what we should introduce to other shops.”
Other initiatives at the shop will include the retailer’s Fashion BuyBack scheme. Launched earlier this month, the programme rewards customers for bringing back bring up to three items of worn clothing from any of the brands stocked by John Lewis in return for £3 per item.
