Tesco has launched an online delivery service for a range of food items incorporating reusable containers as part of the UK supermarket’s sustainability drive.
The chain has partnered with US-based recycling firm TerraCycle via Loop, a packaging system that allows manufacturers to reuse their containers.
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By GlobalDataCustomers can order 150 products, including sauces, yogurts, cereals and chocolate, packed in reusable packaging.
They pay a deposit for each item of packaging and get a refund once it is returned. Loop then cleans the containers ready to be refilled by the manufacturer.
Tesco said the pilot project is part of its ‘remove, reduce, reuse and recycle’ plan to transform packaging and will be available across the UK.
“Each piece of packaging will be used many times so the service can help customers cut down on plastic and other single-use materials,” Giles Bolton, Tesco’s responsible sourcing director, said.
“The concept is similar to how the milkman used to come to the front door, pick up used milk bottles, and leave fresh milk in a new container. After use, customers simply place the empty containers into the tote bag in which the food arrived and go online to schedule a packaging pickup and second delivery.”
The supermarket plans to extend the range of products “over time”, and next year will make some of the items with reusable packaging available in-store.
