Consumer group calls for ‘greener’ shopping
Supermarkets and manufacturers must do more to make refillable products widely available to increasingly keen shoppers, a leading consumer group has urged.
Which? says shoppers are struggling to find environmentally-friendly refills on supermarket shelves, and a lack of clear labelling meant many may be unaware they were available.
A survey by the watchdog found 75% of consumers were open to buying refillable productsbutthatonly36%hadseen them on sale – and 29% said difficulty finding them was the main reason they had not bought any in the last year.
Nineoutof12popularrefillable personal care and homecleaningproductsdidnothave labels indicating they could be refilled when they were finished.
The survey also found that the refills for five products came in flexible pouches that are notoriously difficult to recycle, although the standard packaging versions, except the pumps, could be recycled.
Which? also found the 12 refill products analysed were almostalwayscheaperpermillilitre compared to their originals.
Michael Briggs, head of sustainability at Which?, said: "Our research shows there is demand and savings to be had for consumers who switch to refills. However, many shoppershavetroublefindingthem on supermarket shelves and a lack of clear labelling means consumers may be unaware that a refillable option is available.
"Which? is calling on brands and supermarkets to makerefillableproductsmore widely available to customers. Recyclinglabelsshouldalsobe provided on all grocery products so that people know how they can responsibly dispose of the items they use."