An online shopping platform where the packaging is reuseable has been launched by Tesco and Terracycle in the UK.
Loop allows consumers to order products such as beverages, sauces, yogurt, shampoo, soaps, moisturiser, toothpaste and washing detergent in durable refillable packaging.
Customers of the online shop will pay a deposit on each item of packaging and this is fully refunded to them on final return of the packaging.
Empty containers can either be returned via a scheduled pick-up from their home, which can also be scheduled with their next delivery, or from one of 2,500 DPD collection points across the UK.
Loop has products and brands including Heinz tomato ketchup, Coca Cola, Danone, Nivea, Persil, Molton Brown, Brewdog and Finish among its launch lineup.
Tesco and Terracycle will work on putting reuseable items in stores in 2021.
The retailer’s chief executive Dave Lewis said: “Through our closed loop strategy of Remove, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, Tesco has a clear ambition to reduce packaging. Our ground-breaking partnership with Loop has been designed to test a new way of helping customers use less plastic and explore the potential of reuse.
“We will learn what works at scale as we develop plans with Loop to introduce reuseable packaging into our business.”
Terracycle and Loop founder and chief executive Tom Szaky added: “Loop was designed from the ground-up to reinvent the way we consumer by learning from historic circular and sustainable models like the milkman from yesteryear while honouring the convenience afforded by our single use consumption of today.
“Tesco is the perfect partner to bring Loop to retail in the UK due to its commitment to sustainability, in combating plastics waste, and its operational scale as the UK’s biggest grocery retailer.”
Pilot programmes for Loop have previously been launched in Paris and New York. Following the UK, it will be expanded into Canada, Japan and Australia later this year and in 2021.
Products are available to buy now from www.loopstore.co.uk
