UK supermarket chain Asda has taken its first steps in making sustainable shopping available to every day consumers, with the launch of a test shop in Middleton, Leeds.
Saying that its loose and unwrapped products will not cost more than packaged equivalents, the new shop sells 30 household staples in a refillable format.
Roger Burnley, Asda’s CEO and President, said, “Today marks an important milestone in our journey as we tackle plastic pollution and help our customers to reduce, re-use and recycle.
“I’m delighted that our partners and suppliers have answered the call to bring new and innovative sustainable solutions into store.
“This is an issue that matters greatly to our customers – more than 80% believe that supermarkets have a responsibility to reduce the amount of single use plastics in stores. We want to give them the opportunity to live more sustainably.”
Asda is aiming for a net regenerative impact on nature by 2050
If the new shop is a success the model could be rolled out to more locations next year.
Brands including Kellogg’s cereals, PG Tips tea bags, Quaker Oats, Lavazza and Taylors of Harrogate coffee beans, Vimto cordial and Asda’s own brand rice and pasta are sold in re-fillable format.
Around 50 fresh produce lines are sold loose and unwrapped, including cauliflowers, mushrooms, apples, cabbages and baby plum tomatoes.
The outer plastic wrapping on several Heinz and Asda brand canned multipacks, including beans and soups, has also been removed
The store also has recycling facilities for items such as crisp and biscuit packets, plastic toys, cosmetic containers and toothpaste tubes.
Asda has said it is committed to generating zero carbon emissions by 2040, reducing waste by 50% and leaving a net regenerative impact on nature by 2050.
Further reading
- Which? says more data needed to measure UK supermarket sustainability
- UK supermarkets are operating on a knife edge
- Tesco responds to investor pressure on healthy products
