Waitrose has stepped up its efforts to reduce plastic waste with a new initiative that gives shoppers the option of buying food, drink and cleaning products in refillable containers.
In a move designed to reduce the use of unnecessary plastic and packaging, the retailer is testing a host of ‘unpacked’ concepts at a store in Oxford. These include double the usual amount of fruit and vegetables package-free, a frozen fruit pick and mix, and the option for shoppers to fill reusable containers with detergent and washing up liquid, wine and beer, coffee, and essentials such as pasta, rice, and cereals. Prices will be around 15% cheaper than the packaged alternatives.
Customers will also be able to ‘borrow a box’ to take their shopping home for £5 deposit which is refundable when the box is returned.
The trial of the unpacked options will run until 18 August, with packaged equivalents of the products remaining in their usual areas to create an effective test.
Tor Harris, Head of CSR for Waitrose & Partners, said: “We are determined to build on the work we’ve already done to reduce packaging – and this test will take our efforts to a whole new level as we help the growing number of customers who want to shop in a more sustainable way.
“This test has huge potential to shape how people might shop with us in the future so it will be fascinating to see which concepts our customers have an appetite for. We know we’re not perfect and have more to do, but we believe this is an innovative way to achieve something different.”
Waitrose has already committed to make all its own brand packaging either recyclable, reusable or home compostable by 2023.
