UK retailers unite to explore reusable packaging through prefill systems

Nine of the UK’s largest grocery retailers have jointly announced plans to explore the implementation of reusable packaging across both in-store and online retail, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on single-use formats. The move is supported by WRAP and government bodies across the UK.

The retailers have issued a shared Statement of Intent focused on developing scalable prefill systems — whereby products are sold in prefilled, reusable containers that are returned and reused. The initiative aims to make it easier for consumers to access reusable options and to create a more consistent shopping experience without single-use packaging.

This development builds on previous small-scale trials and represents a more co-ordinated, cross-industry effort to accelerate the shift towards reuse. WRAP will act as the secretariat for the group, helping to align stakeholders, infrastructure, and consumer needs.

UK Plastics Pact Grocery retailer statement of intent states

We, the grocery retailers of the UK (Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Lidl GB, Morrisons, Ocado Retail, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose) supported by Innovate UK, WRAP and DEFRA, DAERA, Scottish Government and Welsh Government have a common ambition to work together to enable increased consumer adoption and participation in a circular economy by exploring how reusable packaging (with a focus on prefill) could be implemented through interoperable systems.

Recognising the challenges to achieving this at scale, we intend to collaborate on an approach that has the potential to deliver a reduction in single use packaging by 2030.

According to data from reuse specialists GoUnpackaged, shifting to just 30% reuse could lead to an estimated £136 million in annual savings for producers under packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements, and cut CO₂e emissions by 95% for the products in scope.

The group will now work together to explore how standardised prefill systems can be applied consistently across different retail environments. A webinar is scheduled for September, aimed at engaging brands, manufacturers, and suppliers interested in supporting or adopting reuse models.