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A new trial just launched will see fabric conditioner being
sold in reusable pouches from vending machines, introducing
a new concept in shopping and reducing packaging waste.
The trial, which has been funded by WRAP (Waste & Resources
Action Programme) and partners - ASDA, eziserv, McBrides and
Unilever - begins in ASDA’s Barnsley store and will be rolled
out across four other ASDA stores.
The self-dispensing technology has been developed by eziserv
with support from project partners - McBrides, Oakdene Hollins
and Unilever. The fabric conditioner will be piped from
1,000 litre reusable containers from the back-of-store via
overhead pipes to a dispensing point in the retail aisle.
It allows customers to purchase concentrated fabric conditioner
in reusable pouches that can be refilled up to 10 times, saving
40p each time compared to the same volume of product in traditional
plastic bottles[1].
As well as offering consumer savings, the new technology
offers retailers significant business benefits - including
carbon impact reduction across the entire supply chain. It
also has the potential to free up in-store sales space and
offer transportation and storage cost savings.
Dr Richard Swannell, Director of Retail at WRAP, said the
trial could signal a radical change in the retail environment
- “Reusable packaging offers us an opportunity to fundamentally
rethink the retail experience. We have already seen positive
responses from consumers in relation to carrier bag reuse[2]
and, if this trial enjoys similar success, it could mark the
start of a reusable revolution.
“The retail industry is watching this trial with a great
deal of interest because there are clear opportunities for
reusable packaging in relation to all manner of products -
ranging from laundry products to paint.”
Julian Walker-Palin, ASDA’s head of corporate policy for
sustainability and ethics, added - “ASDA already leads
the retail sector in packaging reduction and has reduced packaging
on Asda products by 28% since 2007. Our mantra at Asda
is 'To Make Sustainability Affordable for All' and
this project directly engages our customers on this by
offering them a great product which not only has a lower
packaging footprint, but also has a lower price tag due
to its reduced environmental footprint.
Richard Garnett from eziserv said - “This launch is a significant
step that enables customers to radically reduce packaging
waste while making great savings on the new products they
would normally buy in traditional bottles. The dispense point
and innovative new pack are simple, fun and easy to use. If
this trial is successful, the concept can be applied to a
range of products.”
The trials will explore logistical and economic opportunities
as well as assess consumer acceptance and a final report will
be published in autumn 2010.
[1] Refilling a 1.5 litre pouch 10 times represents
a 96% saving on packaging versus using 20 x 750ml bottles. The
RRP for a 750 ml bottle is £1.90, while the RRP for a 1.5 litre
pouch is £1.80 initially, reducing to £1.50 each time it is
refilled
[2] Last summer (July 2009), it was reported that the UK’s leading
supermarkets had cut the number of single-use carrier bags used
by 48%. |
