Having paused it at the start of the pandemic, Morrisons is bringing back its refillable container service that aims to reduce the amount of single-use plastic packaging in its stores.
Butchers and fishmongers at the retailer’s fresh fish and meat counters will now ask customers if they have brought their own container to be refilled, rather than automatically putting products into single-use packaging.
Morrisons highlighted that if every customer used a refillable container for their counter purchase, it would save 2,000 tonnes of plastic a year. The retailer has also been working to remove 900 tonnes of plastic from its butchers and fishmongers counter packaging a year by introducing new lighter weight recyclable trays.
Price cuts across selected meat and fish cuts, and deli items, will be available to mark the return of the service. Morrisons will also be selling reusable containers in its Home aisle to encourage customers to use them.
Natasha Cook, Packaging Manager at Morrisons, said: “Reducing plastic in our stores is an important part of our sustainability agenda and it really matters to our customers too. The service was very popular with our customers when it was first introduced before lockdown, and we’re pleased to see it return with some great value deals on our fresh, British quality products.”
Morrisons originally introduced the refillable container scheme in 2018 as part of several in-store initiatives to reduce plastic pollution from its operations. Other moves including being the first supermarket to ditch plastic carrier bags in favour of paper bags and using traditional paper bags for loose fruit and vegetables.
NAM Implications:
- A no-brainer refillable container initiative from Morrisons…
- …with the added appeal of improved hygiene practices…
- …on the part of the shopper.
- A win-win all round.
- (and possibly a way back to fresh meat and fish counters for some retailers?)
