Green Wedge

PACKAGE DEAL

Woolworths is looking to stop waste at the source –with returnable packaging.

Every year, the Break Free From Plastic movement organises clean-up days around the world, including Australia. They then do an audit to find out which companies produce the most bottles, chip packets and other rubbish found in our gutters, parks and waterways.

Last year, the clear “winner” was Coca Cola. A total of 11,732 branded Coca Cola plastics were recorded in 37 countries across four continents – more than the next three top global polluters combined.

But encouragingly, at least some of the top 10 polluters are doing something about it, by joining a new reusable packaging system from TerraCycle called Loop. And Woolworths has announced it will be bringing the system to Australia.

Beginning in mid-2021, shoppers will be able to order leading brands online and have them delivered in reusable containers. Products include washing detergent, shampoo, juice and ice-cream, from brands such as Nestle, Pepsico, Unilever and Proctor & Gamble.

When you finish with the product, the packaging is collected. Or you can drop it back to a store, where it will be cleaned, refilled and reused.

The system has already been launched New York and Paris, and TerraCycle says it is working well.

“The number of orders are growing, as are the number of consumers participating in the platform. Loop continues to launch new products with major brand partners as more and more companies jump on board.”

In France, the most popular items are beverages such as Evian and Tropicana. In the US, customers are going for household staples such as wipes and dishwasher detergent tabs, personal care items like shampoo, and ice-cream.

Although customers have to pay a deposit for the reusable packaging, TerraCycle says this hasn’t been a deterrent.

“While people want Loop products to cost the same as their disposable alternatives, they are not price sensitive to the deposit,” says TerraCycle. “Examples that are selling well include Clorox wipes ($10 deposit) and Haagen-Dazs ice-cream ($5 deposit).”

As well as Australia, Loop will soon expand to the UK, Canada, Germany and Japan.

You can register your interest in the initial Loop trial at www.woolworths.com.au/shop/discover/ sustainability/loop. ■