UK grocer Waitrose has unveiled the latest iteration of its ‘universal bag’ initiative with fashion brand Anya Hindmarch.
The latest edition – a reusable bag made with recycled plastic that is recyclable in that it contains a built-in freepost envelope which can be used to send the bag directly to recycling at the end of its life – is being launched in association with the Dish from Waitrose podcast, to help promote the show.
The bag itself is manufactured by the Solent Group for Anya Hindmarch and holds up to 12kg of goods. The new Dish edition comes in a punchy pink design with green nastro handles.
The sustainability story
Since its launch in 2021, this collaborative project has saved over 546 tonnes of plastic from landfill, according to Waitrose.
Waitrose said when the packaging eventually reaches the end of what the retailer described as “its very long life”, owners can package it in its own built-in freepost envelope and post it through a letterbox to be “100% recycled locally”.
Anya Hindmarch, founder & creative director of the eponymous brand, said: “It’s exciting to see the Universal Bag project is truly driving change in consumer behaviour, and contributing to a circular economy, with over 500 tonnes of plastic saved from landfill so far.
“Plastic pollution remains a pressing environmental issue but working together with major global food retailers shows the solution must be collaborative.”
Nathan Ansell, chief customer officer at Waitrose, commented: “This collaboration is a love letter to everything we stand for: great taste, bold style, and a serious passion for food.
“Whether you’re sourcing ingredients for an Angela Hartnett masterpiece or grabbing nibbles for tonight’s dinner party, now you can do it with proper Dish flair.”
Tracey Dobkins, CEO of Solent Group, described The Universal Bag as “more than a reusable bag”.
“It’s a thoughtfully designed solution that combines style, practicality, and sustainability, with durability that truly makes it a bag for life,” she explained.
“Drawing on our technical and quality expertise, we work closely with Anya and her team throughout our manufacturing process, from development and retailer compliance through to delivery and merchandising – this collaboration isn’t just about a product; it’s about reshaping behaviours and encouraging better choices.”
The Dish X Anya Hindmarch Universal Bag will be available at 225 Waitrose shops nationally, and online from the end of September. It is priced at £15, and purchases are limited to three per customer because the retailer is expecting demand to be high.
Packaging award winners
In other packaging news, it was London Packaging Week last week – and the show’s annual Innovation Awards 2026 highlighted some sustainability progress.
The Panda Skin Stick from rayro won the Sustainable Beauty & Personal Care prize, while, Feddie Single Malt Whisky from Feddie Ocean Distillery took the Sustainable Drinks accolade. In addition, the Ready2Recycle Mono Material PE MET Flat Bottom Bag, entered by Law Print & Packaging on behalf of Canagan Dog & Cat Food, won the Sustainable Food category.
London Packaging Week judges said the Ready2Recycle bag put material innovation at the heart of a familiar flexible packaging format. They noted the mono-material approach reflected one of the clearest developments identified during this year’s judging: sustainability increasingly being engineered into the fundamental structure of packaging, rather than treated as a separate feature.
“Extraordinary pieces of luxury engineering sit alongside intelligent changes to everyday products, interactive experiences, new material approaches and solutions designed to reduce environmental impact.”
She added: “The common thread is purpose. The strongest projects combine creativity with a clear understanding of the consumer, the challenge being solved and the value the packaging needs to create.”
[Main image credit: Waitrose]
