Ocado is pioneering the experience of offering everyday items such as pasta, rice and washing up liquid in refillable packs, the first time an online supermarket has offered such an experience.
The initiative will test a reusable container to store food and laundry products at no extra cost to customers. The first phase will start this month with 2kg packs of basmati rice and 1kg penne pasta under the Ocado Reuse brand. Later this year, the second phase will introduce 3litre packs of Ocado Reuse non-organic liquid detergent and Skies fabric conditioner.
The scheme involves delivering pre-filled, reusable containers along with other groceries. Customers return the empty containers to drivers with their next order, and suppliers then wash and refill them.
“Most people understand the concept in physical stores, but this trial brings refillable packaging directly to customers’ doors,” said Simon Hinks, product manager at Ocado Retail. “Our customers already return bags for recycling, so this is a logical next step to help reduce single-use plastic in products that are frequently purchased.”
Each container can replace up to five single-use plastic items and is designed for over 60 uses. Ocado claims that if every UK household reused just one item a week, it would eliminate more than 1.4 billion single-use packaging items a year. The scheme is part of the Repackaging Alliance, in partnership with logistics company CHEP and consultancy GoUnpackaged.
Home delivery services like Milk & More have long offered refillable options, such as traditional milk bottles. However, most food is purchased in supermarkets, where up to 90 billion single-use plastic pieces are sold each year, raising environmental concerns.
Last year, a report by the Parliamentary Environment Committee highlighted the need to increase the use of reusable materials to reduce packaging consumption in the UK, and since October 2023, Aldi has been testing an in-store scheme with the Refill Alliance.
Supermarkets including Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Asda have been trialling in-store refill options and working to set an industry-wide standard for dispensers, making it easier to refill from different suppliers. Independent specialist companies have also emerged nationwide.
Despite these efforts, many refill schemes have struggled due to the additional costs to retailers or consumers, making them less popular or profitable than pre-packaged goods. Support from supermarkets has waned amid concerns about consumer interest in refilling during the cost of living crisis.
“A broad-based approach across the industry would lead to a reuse system that benefits everyone in the supply chain and makes it easier for shoppers to participate in reuse through online shopping,” commented Rob Spencer, Director of GoUnpackaged.