Big supermarkets should offer more reuse-and-refill dispensers for cereals and other dry foods in a bid to slash packaging, according to a poll of Scots.
Three quarters of people said they’d be more likely to make use of schemes which allow shoppers to fill up on “loose” staple products like pasta, rice and teabags if stores made it more convenient. The system sees rows of dispensers for foods like cereal brands set up along aisles for customers to help themselves, using their own refillable containers.
It’s also been trialled around the UK for products like coffee, cordials, laundry detergents, shampoos and shower gels. Advocates hope this style of shopping could bring about a revolution in reducing polluting plastic packaging and other waste.
However 69 per cent of Scots said there is very little information online for customers to find out more on reuse and refill – although some chains like Aldi, Asda and Waitrose have run successful schemes. The findings come from an Opinium survey of 2000 Brits last month for reuse-and-refill specialists GoUnpackaged.
It also revealed 68 per cent of Scots think retailers should be investing more in reuse-and-refill and 51 per cent would rather shop at retailers that offered it. Catherine Conway, Director at GoUnpackaged, said: “Retailers have a limited window to act.
“Supermarkets that embrace reuse and refill systems now can establish themselves as leaders in sustainable retail, while those that wait risk falling behind in a market that’s increasingly intolerant of wasteful practices. Single-use packaging is a liability, with shoppers favouring brands and retailers that align with more eco-conscious values.
“Implementing reuse systems – such as refillable containers in-store and reusable packaging – can not only encourage customer loyalty but also help businesses stay ahead of incoming regulation.”
She added: “The findings are a wake-up call to make reuse systems simple, accessible, and appealing to consumers. With sustainability expectations soaring, and loyalty hinging on environmental responsibility, retailers that lead the charge in sustainable practices will secure their place in a greener future.”
Research shows if every UK household opted to reuse just one item per week, it would eliminate over 1.4 billion items of single-use packaging per year. In 2021, Aldi launched a pasta and rice refill station at a supermarket in Cumbria, widening the concept out to other stores including products like cereals and liquid detergents.
Asda previously launched a trial for dispensers of goods like PG Tips, Quaker Oats, Vimto cordial and Persil at a shop in Leeds. High-end chain Waitrose has its own ‘Unpacked’ initiative which trialled the system in four stores around the UK inviting customers to bring in their containers for pastas, cereal, coffee, frozen fruit, meat and fish.
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