A group of major UK retailers has come together to create what is described as a refill solution in a bid to reduce the amount of single-use plastic packaging sold annually in the UK.

The Refill Coalition consists of M&S, Morrisons, Ocado, Waitrose & Partners and the supply chain solutions company CHEP and was convened in 2020 by Unpackaged. The group’s  ambition is to test their refill system live in stores, and online, starting later this year.

The Coalition said it would “reimagine” how key food staples – such as pasta and grains – and household products are supplied.

Part of the system being developed through the coalition is a bulk home delivery refill solution, which the Coalition claims is an industry first. Subject to a successful trial, Coalition retailers will roll out refill stations across their stores and online. Details of trial store locations will be provided later in the year.

A landmark opportunity

In a joint statement, M&S, Morrisons, Ocado, Waitrose & Partners and CHEP said that The Refill Coalition presents “a landmark opportunity” for the retailers to “make a step change in the commercialisation of refills which we know can play a significant role in the reduction of single-use plastic packaging.”

Catherine Conway, founder of Unpackaged, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant that The Refill Coalition has come together to help create an industry-wide solution. Working together to create a universal system gives us the best chance of scaling refills so they become accessible to every shopper in the UK, as we know consumers want less single-use plastic packaging on the items they purchase. An industry-wide approach will lead to a refill system that works for everyone in the supply chain and will make refilling easier for shoppers.”