UK Grocery Retailers Unite to Drive Reuse Initiatives
A Joint Commitment to Reduce Single-Use Packaging
Nine of the UK’s largest supermarket chains have signed a joint Statement of Intent pledging to integrate reuse solutions into both physical and online retail operations. The initiative, supported by UK governments and environmental organisation WRAP, aims to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy and cut reliance on single-use packaging.
The retailers involved include Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Lidl GB, Morrisons, Ocado Retail, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose, representing a significant portion of the UK grocery market.
Building a Framework for Reusable Packaging
In their statement, the group outlined a shared ambition to “enable increased consumer adoption and participation in a circular economy by exploring how reusable packaging – particularly prefill systems can be implemented through interoperable models across the sector.”
The retailers acknowledged that scaling reuse nationwide is challenging but emphasised their commitment to collaborate on systems capable of achieving a substantial reduction in single-use packaging by 2030.
Financial and Environmental Impact
The announcement follows research by GoUnpackaged, which revealed that transitioning just 30% of grocery products to reusable formats could deliver:
- £136 million in annual savings for producers through reduced packaging EPR costs.
- A 95% reduction in CO₂ emissions associated with the products in scope.
- Major cuts in packaging waste volumes and resource use across the supply chain.
These figures underline the financial and environmental incentives for adopting large-scale reuse systems within UK retail.
Customer-Focused Solutions
Planned solutions include enabling customers to purchase “prefilled” items in-store and online using standardised, returnable containers. This approach draws on learnings from previous local pilot schemes, with WRAP acting as the project secretariat, helping to align retailer goals, logistics infrastructure, and consumer engagement strategies.
Next Steps
A webinar scheduled for September will bring together retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers to discuss technical requirements and supply chain coordination, paving the way for wider implementation.
Supporting a Sustainable Future
The move reflects a growing industry-wide recognition of the need for circular packaging systems and positions UK grocery retailers as key drivers of sustainable change.
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