Tesco trials online refill system for ketchup, cola, face creams, shower gel and more
Tesco has teamed up with the zero-waste shopping platform, Loop, to trial a new online refillable container scheme.
Shoppers can choose from over 150 refillable products, including Heinz Tomato ketchup, Persil washing-up liquid, Coca-Cola, Nivea moisturiser, REN shower gel, Danone yoghurt, and soaps and toothpaste. All items will be in reusable packaging, which customers can send back to be refilled.
How does it work?
The concept is fairly simple. All customers have to do is head over to the Loop website, pay a deposit fee (which will be refunded) and choose the products they want to buy.
Once the items have been chosen, they will be delivered in tote bags. After use, consumers simply place the empty containers back into their Loop tote and wait for them to be collected and refilled.
Shoppers don't have the worry about hygiene either. Loop sorts and professionally cleans the packaging and tote bag to 'stringent health and safety standards' so that each product can be safely refilled by the manufacturer. 'Cleaned and refilled products are simultaneously replenished as needed to the consumer, creating a convenient and safe zero waste shopping system,' they explain.
Dave Lewis, Tesco Group CEO, says the partnership is in line with the supermarket's commitment to sustainability and combating plastics waste: 'Through our closed loop strategy of Remove, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, Tesco has a clear ambition to reduce packaging. Our ground-breaking partnership with Loop has been designed to test a new way of helping customers use less plastic and explore the exciting potential of reuse. We will learn what works at scale as we develop plans with Loop to introduce reusable packaging into our business.'
Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of Loop and TerraCycle, adds: 'Loop was designed from the ground-up to reinvent the way we consume by learning from historic circular and sustainable models like the milkman from yesteryear while honouring the convenience afforded by our single use consumption of today.'
Waitrose adopted a similar initiative last year, offering shoppers a dedicated refill zone for them to buy goods in their own reusable containers. From pasta to wine and washing-up liquid, shoppers have the option to fill up their containers, jars and glass bottles.
Meanwhile, organic food delivery company, Abel & Cole, has rolled out a permanent nationwide refillable service, removing single-use packaging from its most popular pantry items.
It's a step in the right direction for supermarkets.
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