Asda unveils plans for first ‘sustainability store’

The grocer will install a number of trial concepts into its existing store in Middleton, in Leeds, designed to “encourage customers to reuse and refill” their plastics.

Off the back of similar pilots from the likes of Waitrose and Marks & Spencer, Asda will give shoppers the option of filling their own containers of products, including its own-label rice, pasta and coffee.

The retailer has also joined forces with FMCG giants to create refill points for branded goods. Customers will be able to fill their own containers of Kellogg’s cereals such as Coco Pops and Rice Krispies and Unilever’s PG Tips.

The sustainability-driven changes, which will be introduced to the store from May, will also include a ‘naked florist’ selling plastic-free flowers, a greater selection of loose produce items including cucumbers and mushrooms and more recycling facilities, such as reverse vending machines for plastic bottles and cans.

Asda said each of trials will last for at least three months to allow it “understand more about how these innovative new ideas work in practice”. It will then decide whether or not to roll out the initiatives more widely, based on customer feedback.

The trials form part of Asda’s pledge to make almost a third of its plastic packaging from recycled sources by the end of this year and reduce all plastic use by 15% by February next year.

It also aims to make packaging of all materials 100% recyclable by 2025.

Asda boss Roger Burnley said: “We’re on an ongoing quest to remove and reduce the amount of plastic in our business – and to find new ways to help our customers to reuse and refill our products.

“It’s a journey we can’t go on alone, which is why we invited our suppliers to innovate with us and I’m delighted that household names like Kellogg’s and Unilever have joined us in testing new ideas and approaches to sustainability at our Middleton store.

“Over the coming weeks and months we will be testing and learning from the customers in Middleton to understand how we can reduce our environmental impacts whilst still maintaining the great service and quality our customers demand. Our first priority will be to look at how we can reduce and remove plastic and I am excited to learn from our customers and see where this journey will take us.”