Nine of the UK's largest food retailers, together with WRAP (The Waste and Resources Action Programme) and government agencies, have published a declaration of intent to introduce standardised reusable packaging. The aim is to create an interoperable system in bricks-and-mortar retail and online that will significantly reduce single-use packaging.
The published plan aims to make reusable packaging - particularly pre-filled containers - more easily and widely available both in supermarkets and for online shopping. The initiative is backed by Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Lidl GB, Morrisons, Ocado Retail, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose, with support from Innovate UK, WRAP and governments from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
According to Data from GoUnpackaged suggests that switching to just 30 per cent reuse could save around £136 million a year in EPR packaging costs. and the CO₂ emissions of the affected products can be reduced by up to 95 per cent.
Common goal by 2030
In their joint declaration, the retail companies express their intention to promote the switch to reusable packaging by 2030 through a coordinated approach. The focus is on so-called „prefill“ solutions, i.e. reusable containers that are already filled and should be easy for consumers to use.
James Bull, Chairman of the Retailer Group, emphasised: „Re-use in the UK retail sector can only be achieved through collaboration and shared goals. Today's joint statement is a significant step in this direction.“
Paul Davidson from Innovate UK added that interoperable systems were the next logical step in the UK Plastics Pact objectives. Innovate UK had organised a three-day Innovation Lab workshop with the distributors.
WRAP takes over coordination
The WRAP organisation will act as the group's secretariat and will help to align objectives, infrastructure and consumer needs.
Keith James from WRAP said: „This partnership shows how much is possible when retailers and policymakers work together towards the same goal - a future where reusable packaging is the norm.“
The next step will be a webinar in September, where brands, manufacturers and suppliers can exchange ideas with the reuse group.
Source: The Waste and Resources Action Programme
