Two projects funded by UKRI’s Smart Plastic Packaging (SSPP) Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, have scooped prizes recognising their efforts in developing scalable reuse and refill solutions that work for the whole supply chain.
The Refill Coalition, founded in 2020 with funding support from the SSPP Challenge, won the Packaging Circularity Award in the MRW National Recycling Awards 2024.The Coalition comprises leading reuse and refill experts GoUnpackaged, Ocado Retail, Aldi UK, supply chain solutions company CHEP, Digi Europe, Eden UK and Trade Fixtures.
Based around a ‘universal’ reusable bulk container, which delivers refills at scale for key food staples (e.g. cereals and pasta) and household products (e.g. cleaning and personal care products), the solution developed by the partners allows retailers to offer their customers convenient refill options while driving efficiencies through the supply chain. Aldi UK has been trialling the solution in two stores since October 2023 and is showing strong results, and in August 2024, Ocado Retail became the first major supermarket to pilot the new reusable packaging in a scheme specially designed for online shopping.
In the VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards, meanwhile, Reposit picked up the Circular Scotland Award, which recognises initiatives that demonstrate a strong commitment to implementing the principles of a circular economy.
Reposit has created a scalable, cross-category, collaborative, returnable packaging platform for the benefit of all stakeholders in the retail supply chain. As part of the project funded by the SSPP Challenge, it is delivering major trials of pre-filled and returnable packaging, including working with M&S to expand the retailer’s Refilled scheme for own-brand cleaning and laundry products to 23 stores. The range has also been extended to ten pre-filled homecare products and further expansion is expected.
