After successful trials in Mexico and Australia, Unilever is converting UK consumers to the in-store refill system. An eco-responsible alternative that is part of the group’s ambitions to make all its packaging reusable or compostable by 2025.
After a successful test phase in the Asda store in Leeds, Unilever plans to expand its refill proposition.
The group has tried an “on the go” concept, where stainless steel bottles are filled on the spot and then returned (empty and dirty) to the point of sale. This system allows, among other things, to convince people who are less inclined to use the machines themselves, while guaranteeing the reuse of the packaging.
“To tackle plastic pollution with speed and urgency, we need to create scalable solutions that make it as easy as possible to make sustainable choices,” says Sebastian Munden, Vice President and Managing Director of Unilever UK & Ireland. “We believe refills could be a game changer in our ambition to halve our use of virgin plastic by 2025; however, to realise the full potential of the reuse economy, we need to change the way people shop. We are testing different models on a large scale to continue to develop our understanding and make the approach more relevant.”
Different refill methods
Unilever conducted several tests to track consumer habits and see which alternatives were more appealing to them.
The group found that 94% of Britons are more likely to …
