// Asda opens a new packaging-free zone in its Monk’s Cross branch
// The refill zone is part of the supermarket’s strategy to remove 3 billion pieces of single use plastic from its business by 2025
Asda says it has ‘raised the bar for sustainable shopping’ after opening the largest refill store in the country at its Monk’s Cross branch in York.
The huge 18-bay refill zone stocks over 100 branded and own-brand products without the need for plastic packaging.
The loose and unpackaged range includes branded favourites – like Yorkshire Tea, Kellogg’s cereals and Napolina Pasta – as well as an extensive range of Asda-brand cereals, rice and pasta.
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It is all sold at the same price or cheaper than packaged equivalents, Asda said.
Customers visiting the store can use their own containers to buy unpackaged products such as pasta, rice, tea, coffee and cereals – or alternatively buy a reusable container in store.
The refill zone in York is part of the supermarket’s strategy to remove 3 billion pieces of single use plastic from its business by 2025.
The store is the third of its kind opened by the supermarket giant and follows the launch of its flagship store in Leeds last October and a similar concept just last month in Glasgow.
The use of refill in all four stores are part of the supermarket’s test and learn approach as it works with customers and looks at a number of ways to make sustainable shopping as simple and accessible as possible.
Asda director of commercial sustainability Susan Thomas said: “Creating the largest refill zone in a UK supermarket is a real achievement and was made possible thanks to a huge cross-functional effort from Asda colleagues and our supplier partners.
“We hope the sheer variety offered across our range of 100 branded and own-label loose products, plus bringing together several simple ways for customers to reduce, reuse or recycle at home, means every one of our shoppers can find a reason to participate in our offer and help move us towards refill being part of every shopping trip.”
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