Ocado Retail extends reusable packaging offering

Ocado Retail has announced an extension to its Reuse range, which means its customers have additional reusable packaging options when they make their online grocery orders.

As of this week, Ocado Reuse Non-Bio Liquid Detergent and Ocado Reuse Clear Skies Fabric Conditioner are available in vessels designed to replace single-use plastic packaging and which can be returned to Ocado to be professionally cleaned.

Consumers are encouraged to type ‘reuse’ into the Ocado search bar for more info and details on how to include these items in their shop.

Ocado launched its online reusable packaging scheme in August, as part of its work with the UK Refill Coalition which is led by the GoUnpackaged consultancy. It came to market in the form of the retailer’s Ocado Reuse Basmati Rice 2kg and Ocado Reuse Penne Pasta 1kg products.

These items can be ordered in reusable packaging so they come pre-filled with product and delivered to customers alongside the rest of their Ocado shop. Customers then return the empty container to their next Ocado driver, with the retailer saying each container is designed to be used over 60 times.

Ocado and GoUnpackaged said the initial launch has garnered strong online reviews, with 100% of customers who have purchased goods in this way recommending the products. Since launch, reuse products have reportedly reached a nearly 30% sales share of equivalent single-use products.

Research among more than 2,000 consumers undertaken by Ocado Retail and Savanta revealed that there is growing public demand to reduce reliance on single-use plastic from grocery shops.

According to the study, 72% of consumers are concerned about the amount of waste generated by single-use packaging of grocery products, and one in three said they are inclined to use retailers that provide reusable packaging options for their pantry staples.

Some 73% said that more supermarkets should offer refillable options, especially across essential items such as liquid laundry detergent (50%) and fabric conditioner (46%).