Ocado launch online reusable packaging scheme

The grocer is trialling the home delivery of reusable vessels for certain staple products.

Packaging specialists hope the vessel will influence customers. ‘The trial will provide the opportunity to explore how refill can be made convenient and habit-forming for consumers and empower them to make a real contribution to reducing single-use plastic packaging through their online shopping,’ says Paul Davidson FIMMM, Director of the Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge.

The two-phase trial starts with cupboard staples in August and moves onto laundry products later this year.

A pre-filled, reusable container is delivered to customers with the rest of their shop, which they can return to their next Ocado driver when it is empty.

The containers are collected, washed and sent to the suppliers where they are refilled for re-delivery.

Ocado says each vessel replaces up to five single-use plastic items and can be used more than 60 times.

The Big Plastic Count, by Greenpeace and Everyday Plastic, estimates that up to 90bln units of single-use plastics are sold by the UK grocery market annually.

Phase 1, offers 2kg of Ocado's own-brand rice and 1kg of their pasta. Phase 2 will offer 3L containers of the grocer's own-brand washing detergent and fabric conditioner.