Reduced Packaging Grocery Stores

The growing amount of packaging waste that's being created on a global scale is being addressed by UK grocery store Waitrose as it begins to offer packaging-free products as part of a new trial. The retailer has turned an Oxford location into the testing grounds of its latest initiative that sees hundreds of products available for purchase without any packaging. About 160 fruits and vegetables are available in a packaging-free format, while reusable containers are being offered to encourage less waste amongst shoppers.

The Waitrose packaging-free products store was spoken on by Waitrose & Partners Head of CSR Tor Harris who said, "We are determined to build on the work we’ve already done to reduce packaging – and this test will take our efforts to a whole new level as we help the growing number of customers who want to shop in a more sustainable way. This test has huge potential to shape how people might shop with us in the future so it will be fascinating to see which concepts our customers have an appetite for. We know we’re not perfect and have more to do, but we believe this is an innovative way to achieve something different.”