Ocado launches reusable scheme with UK Refill Coalition

Ocado Retail has become the first major supermarket to pilot a new reusable packaging scheme, specially designed for online, in an effort to reduce the use of single-use packaging from customers' weekly shops.

The trial, staged across two phases, will use a reusable vessel, developed specifically to deliver food cupboard staples and laundry products at scale, with no extra cost to the customer. If every household in the UK opted to reuse just one item per week, it would eliminate over 1.4 billion items of single-use packaging per year.

The new reusable range will include frequently purchased items to reduce the use of single-use plastic on everyday items while providing the same quality and value.

Phase 1 of the trial launching in August:
● Ocado Reuse Basmati Rice 2kg
● Ocado Reuse Penne Pasta 1kg

Phase 2 of the trial launching later this year:
● Ocado Reuse Non-Bio Liquid Detergent 3L
● Ocado Reuse Clear Skies Fabric Conditioner 3L

The reusable container is 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 hygienically washed before being filled again at the supplier. Each vessel replaces up to five single-use plastic items  and is designed to be used over 60 times, leading to a significant reduction in single-use plastic over time.

"We are delighted to see Ocado Retail bring a direct to consumer reusable packaging solution to market. 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.” said the Refill Coalition.

Research among more than 2,000 consumers undertaken by Ocado Retail and Savanta revealed that there is growing public demand to reduce the use of single-use plastic from grocery shops. 

Almost three quarters (72%) are concerned about the amount of waste generated by single-use packaging of grocery products, with one in three opting to use retailers that provide refillable options for their pantry staples. The majority of consumers (73%) also agreed that more supermarkets should offer refillable options, especially across essential items such as pasta (66%), rice (67%), liquid laundry detergent (50%) and fabric conditioner (46%).

While supermarkets are making steps to reduce plastic packaging, figures from this year’s Big Plastic Count estimate that up to 90 billion units of single-use plastics are sold by the UK grocery market each year.

Last year, the Government’s EFRA Committee report highlighted that “increasing the uptake of reusable packaging is essential for reducing the total amount of packaging consumed in the UK.” The online and in-store solutions developed by The Refill Coalition are a key step in creating a viable portfolio of standardised solutions that can work industry-wide.

As a founding member of The Refill Coalition and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, Ocado Retail’s aim is to lead on developing an industry standard for online reusable packaging that can be used by any supplier or retailer*. This will enable fast adoption by industry to make reusable packaging available to every UK customer. GoUnpackaged, the UK’s leading refill experts that convened the coalition in 2020, will manage the washing and logistics for Ocado Retail for this part of the trial.

"We’re proud to be the first major supermarket to pilot an online reusable packaging scheme. 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.” said Simon Hinks, Product Director at Ocado Retail

The Refill Coalition was convened in 2020 by GoUnpackaged, the UK’s leading reuse & refill experts to bring together Ocado Retail, Aldi UK and the supply chain solutions company CHEP. Those involved are aiming to become the industry-standard for reusable packaging, taking the necessary steps to encourage nationwide adoption to consequently reduce plastic waste in the UK and are supported by UKRI’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge fund, delivered by Innovate UK.