Ocado is launching a trial for refillable packaging for everyday products

Ocado has pioneered a trial offering everyday items such as pasta, rice and detergent in refillable containers, a first for an online supermarket.

The initiative will test a reusable container for food and laundry products at no additional cost to customers. The first phase starts this month with 2 kg packs of basmati rice and 1 kg of penne pasta under the Ocado Reuse brand. Later this year, the second phase will introduce 3-litre containers of Ocado Reuse non-bio-liquid detergent and Skies fabric softener.

The program includes pre-filled reusable containers delivered with other groceries. Customers return empty containers to the drivers with their next order, which are then washed and refilled by suppliers.

Simon Hinks, product director at Ocado Retail, said: “Most people understand the concept in physical stores, but this trial brings refillable containers straight to customers’ doors. Our customers already return bags for recycling, so this is a logical next step to help reduce single-use plastic in commonly purchased products.”

Each container can replace up to five single-use plastic items and is designed for more than 60 uses. Ocado claims that if every household in Britain reused just one item per week, more than 1.4 billion single-use containers would be eliminated every year. This plan is part of the Refill Coalition, in collaboration with logistics company CHEP and consultancy firm GoUnpackaged.

Home delivery services like Milk & More have long offered refill options, like traditional milk bottles. However, most groceries are bought at major supermarkets, where up to 90 billion single-use plastic items are sold every year, raising environmental concerns.

A report from the Parliamentary Environment Committee last year highlighted the need to increase the uptake of reusable materials to reduce packaging consumption in Britain. Since October 2023, Aldi has been testing a store program together with the Refill Coalition.

Supermarkets including Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Asda have been experimenting with in-store refill options and have been working towards an industry-wide standard for dispensers, making refilling easy across suppliers. Independent specialists have also emerged nationally.

Despite these efforts, many refill programs have faced additional costs for retailers or consumers, making them less popular or profitable than prepackaged goods. Grocery support has waned amid concerns about consumer interest in refills during the cost-of-living crisis.

Rob Spencer, director of GoUnpackaged, commented: “An industry-wide approach will lead to a reuse system that benefits everyone in the supply chain and makes it easier for consumers to get started with reuse through online shopping.”