Ocado is to trial offering reusable packaging for its own-brand everyday products such as pasta, rice and washing liquid.
The move would mark a first for online supermarkets, with Ocado claiming that the initiative will bring reusable and refillable packing “straight to customers doors”.
The scheme will see shoppers offered reusable containers pre-filled with product and delivered with the rest of their shop. Empty vessels can be returned to delivery drivers to be washed and refilled by suppliers.
Due to rollout this month, the first phase of the initiative features a reusable container for products such as 2kg packs of basmati rice and 1kg of penne pasta.
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Phase two, which is due to launch later this year, will see additional products added to the Ocado Reuse scheme, like 3 litre containers of non-bio liquid detergent and Skies fabric conditioner.
Ocado claims that each container can be reused more than 60 times, and can replace five single-use plastic items.
Ocado retail product director Simon Hinks said: “Most people understand the concept and know it works in a physical store but this trial brings [refillable packaging] straight to customers’ doors.
“Our customers are already used to giving their bags back to our drivers for recycling – so this is a really sensible next step for us to help our customers reduce single-use plastic on products they buy frequently.”
Ocado’s new scheme follows in the wake of Asda axing its own refillable scheme last month, over claims that the concept was “too challenging”.
