Ocado Retail launches reusable packaging pilot in partnership with the Refill Coalition
Ocado Retail is piloting a new reusable packaging scheme for online shoppers as it looks to reduce the use of single-use packaging from customers’ weekly shops.
Implemented in two stages and conducted in partnership with the Refill Coalition, the trial involves an innovative reusable packaging vessel being used at scale to deliver food cupboard staples and laundry products, at no extra cost to the customer.
Phase one of the trial includes Ocado Reuse Basmati Rice 2kg and Ocado Reuse Penne Pasta 1kg. Due to be introduced later this year, phase two will also include Ocado Reuse Non-Bio-Liquid Detergent 3L and Ocado Reuse Skies Fabric Conditioner 3L.
The reusable container comes pre-filled with product and is delivered to customers together with the rest of their shopping. Customers then return the empty container to their next Ocado driver to enable them to be hygienically cleaned before being filled again at the supplier.
Each vessel replaces up to five single-use plastic items and is designed to be used over 60 times.
Ocado Retail said over 1.4 billion items of single-use packaging could be eliminated each year if every household in the UK opted to reuse just one item per week.
Simon Hinks, product director at Ocado Retail, said: “We’re proud to be the first major supermarket to pilot an online reusable packaging scheme. Most people understand the concept and know it works in a physical store but this trial brings the solution straight to customers’ doors.
“Our customers are already used to giving their bags back to our drivers for recycling – so this is a really sensible next step for us to help our customers reduce single-use plastic on products they buy frequently.”
Research carried out among 2,000 consumers by Ocado Retail and Savanta found that almost three quarters of people (72%) were concerned about the amount of waste generated by single-use packaging of grocery products, with one in three opting to use retailers that provide refillable options for their pantry staples.
In addition, 73% agreed that more supermarkets should offer refillable options, especially for items such as pasta, rice, liquid laundry detergent and fabric conditioner.
The Refill Coalition said: “We are delighted to see Ocado Retail bring a direct to consumer reusable packaging solution to market. As a Coalition we share the mutual objective of reducing single-use plastic packaging and believe that the solutions we have developed present a landmark opportunity for us to make a step change in the commercialisation of reusable packaging which we know can play a significant role in the reduction of single-use plastic packaging.”
