Waitrose extends ‘bring your own containers’ anti-plastic scheme

A pilot by supermarket chain Waitrose aims to get shoppers using less plastic packaging. What do shoppers think about Waitrose’s trial? Waitrose is extending a trial to remove packaging from many products after a positive response in its first store. The "Unpacked" scheme was tested in Oxford, with customers using their own containers to buy produce such as pasta, wine and frozen fruit. More than 200 products were taken out of their packaging at the Botley Road shop in June to cut waste. Now the chain has announced the scheme will be rolled out to stores in Cheltenham, Abingdon and Wallingford. The goods taken out of their packaging include cut flowers, fruit and vegetables, beer, lentils, couscous and seeds, as well as a "pick and mix" for frozen fruit. A Waitrose spokesman said feedback from shoppers had been overwhelmingly positive and sales had overtaken those of equivalent packaged products. The Oxford store trial has also been extended beyond the original end date of 18 August. Cartons are used on shelves previously stacked with plastic boxes Tor Harris, from Waitrose and Partners, said the reaction had been "incredible". "Through working with our customers and suppliers we will continue to learn […]

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