Tesco tests recycling of packaging in its stores
88 PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN REUSABLE CONTAINERS
THREE branches of Tesco are taking part in a new scheme to recycle containers and cut waste.
Under Loop, a range of food, drink, household and beauty products are available in reusable and durable packaging.
They range from teabags, pasta, sunflower oil and rice to shower gel, beer and wine.
After finishing each product, customers return the empty jars, bottles and boxes to the store, rather than throwing them away.
The Leicestershire branches taking part are the Hamilton store in Leicester, Ashby and the Rushes, in Loughborough.
So far, 88 products are available including brands such as Persil, Fever-Tree, Carex, Tetley Tea and BrewDog.
Tesco has included 35 of its own brand products in the range, including pasta, rice, oil and sugar, with more products to be added throughout the year.
Customers visit the Loop centre in store and add the products they want into their trolley as a part of their normal shop.
The range comes ready filled in a suitable container.
Prices are comparable to the original. A fully refundable deposit starting at 20p is paid on each reusable product at checkout and this is refunded via an app when the customer returns the packaging to a collection point in the store.
Ken Murphy, Tesco Group chief executive, said: “We are determined to tackle plastic waste and one of the ways we can help is by improving reuse options available to customers.
“Bringing Loop to our stores is a significant milestone in this journey.
“With 88 everyday products available, we’re giving customers a wide range of options and we’ll learn as much as we can from this to inform our future packaging plans.”
The launch of Loop in Tesco stores follows a year-long online pilot, launched in July 2020, that allowed customers to order and return products in reusable packaging to and from their doorstep.