Consumers ordering online from the Loop website can order up to 150 products like beverages, sauces, yogurt, shampoo, soaps, moisturiser, toothpaste, and washing detergent in customised, brand-specific and private label, durable refillable packaging.
The service works on a similar model as deposit return schemes – consumers pay a deposit fee on each piece of packaging, that is fully refunded to upon final return of the packaging.
Loop has engaged with multiple consumer brands and says they will all be available via the Loop platform now or in the near future.
After use, consumers place the empty containers back into their Loop tote bag and then have a variety of return options: pick up from home or drop off the tote bag at one of the 2,500 DPD collection points across the UK.
Loop will clean the packaging and tote bag to stringent health and safety standards and replenish as needed to the consumer, creating a zero-waste shopping system.
Dave Lewis, Tesco Group chief executive, said: “Our ground-breaking partnership with Loop has been designed to test a new way of helping customers use less plastic and explore the exciting potential of reuse. We will learn what works at scale as we develop plans with Loop to introduce reusable packaging into our business.”
Tom Szaky, founder and chief executive of Loop and TerraCycle, added: “Loop was designed from the ground-up to reinvent the way we consume by learning from historic circular and sustainable models like the milkman from yesteryear while honouring the convenience afforded by our single-use consumption of today.
“Tesco is the perfect partner to bring Loop to retail in the UK due to its commitment to sustainability, in combating plastics waste, and its operational scale as the UK’s biggest grocery retailer.”
In response to the announcement, Louise Edge, senior campaigner at Greenpeace, said: “The rising demand for home deliveries on the back of Covid presents a real opportunity for innovation in reusable packaging. It’s great news that Tesco and Loop have seized this opportunity, and are allowing online shoppers to use refillable containers for items from drinks to shampoo.
“Replacing throwaway packaging with refillable containers won’t just help stem plastic pollution and protect wildlife. By preventing swaps from single-use plastic to cardboard, it helps protect our forests too. Plus, reuse can deliver reduction in greenhouse gases, so it’s a win win win for the environment.
“Tesco and Loop have taken the lead, now it’s time for all supermarkets to catch up and invest in the waste-saving reuse systems that are set to be the future of grocery shopping.”
Source : https://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/tesco-launches-refillable-packaging-service
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