Ocado is testing the use of refillable packaging on everyday products such as pasta, rice and washing liquid as part of a new sustainability push.
The online supermarket is trialling a reusable container that can take food or laundry products with no extra costs for customers, The Guardian reported.
The first phase, which starts this month, includes 2kg packs of basmati rice and 1kg of penne pasta under its new Ocado Reuse brand.
The second phase, releasing later this year, will add 3L containers of Ocado Reuse non-bio liquid detergent and Skies fabric conditioner.
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As part of the scheme, the reusable containers are pre-filled with product and delivered to customers with the rest of their shop.
It will then be collected by Ocado’s delivery drivers when they deliver the customers’ next order for suppliers to wash and refill the container for the next customer.
The grocery chain claims each vessel can replace up to five single-use plastic items and has been designed to be used more than 60 times.
Ocado Retail product director Simon Hinks said: “Most people understand the concept and know it works in a physical store but this trial brings [refillable packaging] straight to customers’ doors.
“Our customers are already used to giving their bags back to our drivers for recycling – so this is a really sensible next step for us to help our customers reduce single-use plastic on products they buy frequently.”
Ocado’s venture into refillable products comes as Asda pulled the plug on its store trials of refillable product stations as the economics of the concept was “too challenging”.
“Our research showed that the key barriers which included cost, convenience, cleanliness, and perceived product quality have prevented customers from engaging with the refill proposition,” the supermarket said.
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