Ocado launches refillable packaging trial for everyday products

Ocado is pioneering a trial offering everyday items like pasta, rice, and washing liquid in refillable packaging, a first for an online supermarket.

The initiative will test a reusable vessel for food and laundry products at no extra cost to customers. This month, the first phase begins with 2kg packs of basmati rice and 1kg of penne pasta under the Ocado Reuse brand. Later this year, the second phase will introduce 3-litre containers of Ocado Reuse non-bio liquid detergent and Skies fabric conditioner.

The scheme involves pre-filled reusable containers delivered alongside other groceries. Customers return empty containers to drivers with their next order, which are then washed and refilled by suppliers.

Simon Hinks, product director at Ocado Retail, stated, “Most people understand the concept in physical stores, but this trial brings refillable packaging directly to customers’ doors. Our customers already return bags for recycling, so this is a logical next step to help reduce single-use plastic on frequently bought products.”

Each container can replace up to five single-use plastic items and is designed for over 60 uses. Ocado claims that if every UK household reused just one item weekly, it would eliminate more than 1.4 billion single-use packaging items annually. This scheme is part of the Refill Coalition, partnering with logistics company CHEP and consultancy GoUnpackaged.

Home delivery services like Milk & More have long offered refill options, such as traditional milk bottles. However, most groceries are bought at major supermarkets, where up to 90 billion single-use plastic items are sold annually, raising environmental concerns.

A parliamentary environment committee report last year emphasised the need to increase the uptake of reusables to reduce packaging consumption in the UK. Since October 2023, Aldi has tested an in-store scheme with the Refill Coalition.

Supermarkets, including Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, and Asda, have experimented with in-store refill options and worked towards an industry-wide standard for dispensers, facilitating easy refills by different suppliers. Independent specialists have also emerged nationwide.

Despite these efforts, many refill schemes have struggled with added costs for retailers or consumers, making them less popular or profitable than pre-packaged goods. Supermarket support has waned amid concerns over consumer interest in refills during the cost of living crisis.

Rob Spencer, director of GoUnpackaged, commented, “An industry-wide approach will lead to a reuse system that benefits everyone in the supply chain and makes it easier for shoppers to engage with reuse through online shopping.”

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Ocado launches refillable packaging trial for everyday products