Tesco launches zero-waste trial in 10 stores across England

Tesco is launching a reusable packaging service in 10 stores across England in a bid to achieve cut waste.

The supermarket giant has partnered with reusable packaging platform Loop to allow customers to buy a selection of household goods in a more sustainable and less wasteful way.
At the time of purchase, customers will be charged 20p for the reusable packaging, which will then be refunded via an app once they’ve used the product and returned the container. The items will need to be returned in a Loop bag, which costs £2 but the money will be refunded once the bag is handed back to the store.
Once the packaging and/or the bag are returned, Loop takes up to six days to receive and process the empty containers. After that the money will be refunded into the customer’s Loop account and will be available to be transferred to the customer’s bank account.
As well as returning the reusable packaging, customers will be able to return all non-reusable elements, such as bottle caps or tamper seals, for recycling.

There are 88 items included in the trial, which can also still be bought in their original, single use packaging. Carex handwash, Persil laundry powder and Tetley Tea are just some of the brands in the zero-waste scheme, as well as 35 of Tesco’s products from its own brand. These products will be available on the shelves just like those coming in single use containers.

Tesco is rolling out the trial in Milton Keynes Kingston, Northampton South, Loughborough Rushes, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cambridge Newmarket Road, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Wellingborough, Milton Keynes Wolverton, Evesham and Leicester Hamilton.

The one-year-long trial is part of Tesco’s bid to tackle zero-waste and single use packaging.