Aldi has launched an in-store refill system trial in Solihull for dry goods in a bid to reduce single-use plastic waste.
The refillable system at Aldi will replace current bulk dispensers with reusable vessels located at a refill station that can be filled with the product.
Customers are invited to bring their own packaging to refill at the station, using an improved weighing system.
Aldi is trialling the in-store refill system as part of its membership of the UK Refill Coalition.
The Refill Coalition jointly stated the brands involved share a “mutual objective of reducing single-use plastic packaging.
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It added that the new system “presents a landmark opportunity for us to make a step change in the commercialisation of refills which we know can play a significant role in the reduction of single-use plastic packaging.”
Aldi plastics and packaging director Luke Emery said: “We are pleased to have installed the first in-store refill solution as part of the Refill Coalition in our Solihull store.
“We are continuing our work to reduce single-use plastics and packaging, and making unpackaged product options more commonplace for our customers is a key part of this,” Emery added.
Ocado Retail is also part of the Refill Coalition and will next year launch a bulk home delivery refill system. The vessel will be pre-filled by the supplier and shipped to customers alongside the rest of their Ocado order and then returned to driver when empty.
Each online vessel is set to replace five single-use plastic packs.
Ocado director of own-brand, technical and sustainability Rachel Cox-Reynolds added: “We’re proud that Ocado will be leading the concept for online deliveries in the new year, making it easier than ever for customers to refill everyday staples from the convenience of their doorsteps.”
