Ocado Retail – the joint venture between Ocado and Marks & Spencer – has launched an online reusable packaging scheme.
As part of its work with the UK Refill Coalition, Ocado Retail is looking to reduce the role single-use packaging plays in consumers’ weekly shops.
The pilot project represents the first reusable packaging scheme from a major UK grocer, specially designed for online.
Staged across two phases, the trial will involve a reusable vessel, developed specifically to deliver food cupboard staples and laundry products at scale.
The reusable container will be pre-filled with product and delivered to customers alongside the rest of their Ocado shop. Customers then return the empty container to their next Ocado driver. The containers are then collected from Ocado and washed before being filled again at the supplier. The retailer said each vessel replaces up to five single-use plastic items, and it is designed to be used over 60 times.
In phase one, starting in August, the new reusable range will include Ocado Reuse Basmati Rice 2kg and Ocado Reuse Penne Pasta 1kg. Phase Two, coming later in 2024, will involve Ocado Reuse Non-Bio-Liquid Detergent 3L and Ocado Reuse Skies Fabric Conditioner 3L added to the trial.
In launching this initiative, Ocado said it was following customer demand for reusable packaging.
Ocado is a founding member of the Refill Coalition and said it wants to lead on developing an industry standard for online reusable packaging that can be utilised by any supplier or retailer.
GoUnpackaged, a consultancy that convened the coalition in 2020, will manage the washing and logistics for Ocado Retail for this part of the trial.
The Refill Coalition made a joint statement, saying: “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.”
Simon Hinks, product director at Ocado Retail, commented: “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.”
Rob Spencer, director at GoUnpackaged, added: “An industry-wide approach will lead to a reuse system that works for everyone in the supply chain and make it easier for shoppers to engage with reuse via online shopping.“
Paul Davidson, director of the Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge, which is delivered by Innovate UK and has co-funded the work of the Refill Coalition, remarked: “Online retail offers a unique opportunity to develop and embed reuse and refill in our everyday shopping experience and we are delighted to see the Ocado Retail trial going live.
“The trial will provide the opportunity to explore how refill can be made convenient and habit-forming for consumers and empower them to make a real contribution to reducing single-use plastic packaging through their online shopping.”
Since October 2023, Aldi UK has trialled the Refill Coalition’s vessel-based in-store refill solution in two of its stores, which is reportedly showing promising results. Across the trial stores, the loose products available via the refill solution are contributing up to 30% of sales within their categories, alongside their single-use packaged versions, according to the coalition.
[image credit: Ocado Retail]
