REWE is now trialling innovative unpackaged stations for dry goods. The cooperation partner is the start-up MIWA from the Czech Republic. REWE is the first food retailer in Germany to test the digital, particularly user-friendly and hygienic stations.
The REWE store in Cologne-Lövenich kicked off the programme. Ten more stores followed step by step until mid-November. The advantage for customers lies in the packaging-free shopping and the individual portioning of the desired quantity to avoid food waste. This is because all REWE organic products that are now also offered unpackaged have been popular and established product ranges in REWE stores for years. With the test limited to six months per market The aim is to examine customer acceptance, market feasibility and the economic viability of further expansion of the stations.
And it's as simple as this: customers can either use the reusable cups (deposit €1.50, capacity 500ml) or reusable bowls (€2.50, 1.2l) provided at the unpacked station. or use your own break-proof container. If a container is brought along, its weight must first be determined on the scales and confirmed via an integrated screen so that the user only pays for the filled product. If a provided „Einfach Mehrweg“ container is used, filling can be started immediately without the so-called tare measurement, as the respective tare weight of the reusable containers provided by REWE is stored in the station.
By gently pressing the container against the product dispenser, the product previously selected on the integrated screen is dispensed into the container. The screen shows the estimated quantity and price of the product during filling. The final weight and the exact price are displayed as soon as the container is placed on the scales integrated in the station. Finally, the station prints the price label to be attached to the container. To continue shopping at the unpacked station, simply click on the „Fill more products“ button. To make the station particularly easy to use, the user is guided step by step through the entire filling process. accompanied by text and images on the screen.
At the checkout, the unpackaged goods are charged based on the label - including the deposit amount when using a „single reusable“ container. This Containers can then be handed in via the reverse vending machines at all REWE stores and other system partners. The „Einfach Mehrweg“ containers, which have been awarded the „Blue Angel“ and the ECR Award, are Part of an open reusable system, which promotes efficient cycles.
In addition, the unpackaged stations close another reusable cycle and thus differ from the usual unpackaged systems on the market. Because the loose products are also packed in handy reusable large containers. These are filled by the respective REWE organic product manufacturer and delivered to the stores. There, the large containers are inserted into the stations using simple handling - this also avoids the need to refill goods in the store. Once the bulk containers are empty, they are returned to the manufacturer after cleaning and are labelled with a new batch and updated labelling.
The promotion of unpackaged concepts and reusable alternatives is a central pillar of REWE Group's packaging strategy. Against this background, the Test of an unpackaged station that closes reusable cycles, a consistent step towards the ambitious goal of doubling the range of unpackaged products or products offered in reusable containers in the markets by the end of 2025 compared to 2021.
Source: REWE Group
REWE - More news
Oat drink in sheet form saves packaging material
Women in Packaging: Shaping the circular economy at REWE Group
Co-financing of emissions reduction in the supply chain
REWE tests unpackaged stations in eleven stores
German Environmental Aid carries out packaging check
