Tesco gets onboard with Loop’s reusable packaging project in the UK

16 Jul 2020 --- Terracycle’s zero waste e-commerce platform Loop has initiated Phase Two of its pilot Loop process with UK supermarket Tesco: retailer integration. Consumers in mainland England, Scotland and Wales can now conveniently order and responsibly consume over 150 food and household products that arrive in durable, reusable packaging as part of the supermarket’s online refillable container trial. The Loop expansion to Great Britain advances Tesco’s 4R packaging strategy to “remove, reduce, reuse and recycle.”

“Through our [4R] closed-loop strategy, Tesco has a clear ambition to reduce packaging. Our ground-breaking partnership with Loop has been designed to test a new way of helping customers use less plastic and explore the exciting potential of reuse. We will learn what works at scale as we develop plans with Loop to introduce reusable packaging into our business,” says Dave Lewis, Tesco Group CEO. 

Loop has already engaged with multiple consumer product companies, both large and small, including Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Coca-Cola, Danone, Nivea and Persil. Recently, Open Farm Pet Food partnered with Loop as the first pet food participant.

Terracycle's Loop is contributing to a circular economy.There are no membership fees, but consumers do pay a deposit on each piece of packaging ordered via the UK Loop website. This is then fully refunded to them upon final return of the packaging. Consumers receive their durable products in a Loop reusable shipping tote bag and once finished with the products, they can schedule a tote bag pickup online from their home – which can also be combined with their next delivery – or drop off the tote and empty packaging at one of the 2,500 DPD collection points across the UK.

With Loop’s move into England, Scotland and Wales, the initiative will debut a new warehousing and cleaning model. Ecolab, a cleaning and hygiene solutions company, has embedded its cleaning technologies in selected DHL warehouse operations. It will handle the cleaning and sanitizing services of Loop’s durable containers and provide all necessary equipment, standard operating procedures, staff and management. DHL will support Loop’s warehousing, returned deposit scanning and process all cleaned containers for distribution back to consumer product manufacturers.

Loop first entered Phase Two last month at French Carrefour retailers and is also available via Kroger and Walgreens in the US. In 2021, Loop will advance to Loblaws in Canada, Woolworths in Australia and Aeon in Japan. An expansion to Germany is also planned, however, retailers are yet to be determined. 

Accommodating COVID-19
Loop’s delivery service is also available throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Antibacterial gel is used between each delivery and all equipment used is disinfected daily. Loop drivers keep a two meter distance and put the tote bag at the ordered door. As proof of delivery, deliverers will take a photo of the parcel with the consumer’s door open. 

For Loop users in self-isolation, they can also put a signed note on their door to tell the Loop deliverers where to leave the shipping tote bag. Empty containers should be placed in the Loop tote and left outside of the door. As a precaution, Loop couriers wait 72 hours before touching the tote and carrying on with the return process.

By Anni Schleicher

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