Supermarket chain Asda has opened what it described as a ‘sustainability’ trial store which includes a significant selection of recycling and refill stations aimed at enabling customers to make greener shopping decisions.
Asda has partnered with brands such as PG Tips, Vimto, and Kellogg’s to bring these new features to life at its Middleton, Leeds superstore.
The new shop includes 15 refill stations, where shoppers can dispense goods from some of the above brands into their own reusable containers rather than acquiring throwaway packaging.
The refill stations zone also includes brands of shampoo, conditioner, Persil laundry detergent, hand wash, and shower gel from Unilever brands such as Simple and Radox.
In addition, 53 fresh produce lines are sold in loose and unwrapped format, while all Asda plants and flowers are sold either unwrapped or with a paper packaging.
Recycling facilities for items that are difficult to recycle in kerbside collections such as crisp and biscuit packets, plastic toys, cosmetic containers and toothpaste tubes are also on site.
Meanwhile, other green-focused initiatives at the store include a reverse vending machine for cans, plastic and glass drinks bottles and a hanger recycling facility that will be rolled out across all stores. The retailer has also created a partnership with vintage wholesaler, Pre-Loved, which will sell second-hand clothing from well-known brands.
Roger Burnley, CEO & president of Asda, remarked: “We have always known that we couldn’t go on this journey alone, so it is fantastic to work in tandem with more than 20 of our partners and suppliers, who have answered the call to test innovative sustainable solutions with us.”
He said more than 80% of Asda consumers believe supermarkets have a responsibility to reduce the amount of single use plastics in stores.
“During the next few months, we will listen to customers and colleagues’ feedback on Middleton so we can understand how we can continue to reduce our environmental impacts, whilst continuing to deliver quality service at a great price,” Burnley added.
Asda has committed to introduce over 40 refillable products by 2023, and invest in 50 “closed loop and circular projects” by 2030. It said it will work closely with waste management companies, recyclers, and product developers to meet these goals, and it pledged its “greener” policies will not result in heftier price tags.
[Image credit: Asda]
