// Lidl trials a smart laundry detergent refill station in its Kingswinford store – the first of its kind in the UK, saving customers 20p every time they refill
// The six month pilot could save 2,970 single-use plastic containers from one store alone
Lidl has launched a trial of the UK’s first-ever supermarket ‘smart’ laundry detergent refill station, to help customers cut plastic and costs.
Launching in Kingswinford, West Midlands, the six month pilot in partnership with Chilean sustainability start-up Algramo could save 2,970 single-use plastic containers from one store alone.
Shoppers at the Kingswinford store can now purchase a dedicated, 100% recyclable refill bottle filled with a choice of four Lidl own brand laundry detergents for the same price as a standard single-use bottle.
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After the refill bottle is purchased, any refills then come with a 20p saving – reducing customer spend as well as plastic, meaning customers will never pay more for a more sustainable choice.
The refill bottles have been specially designed with a UK-first smart chip, which allows the machine to register and recognise the bottle. Once the refill process is complete, shoppers can collect the ticket printed with the chosen product’s barcode and pay at the till with the weekly shop.
The refill machines are fully automated – making the process simple and fast, also helping to avoid any awkward spills created by manual refill machines.
Mark Newbold, CSR Manager at Lidl GB said: “At Lidl, we believe you shouldn’t have to pay more for doing the right thing. It’s why we’re especially proud to be trialling this pioneering refill technology that not only helps customers reduce their plastic usage, but also their weekly shopping bill.”
Since 2013, Algramo has been dedicated to helping Chilean families buy life’s essentials in reusable packaging and is now an international benchmark for circular economy.
With this partnership, Lidl becomes the first retailer to pilot Algramo’s circular platform in Europe, while also allowing its customers to pay, on average, 10% less for the products.
Algramo UK country manager Chris Baker said: “We are very happy to help Lidl customers make simple everyday actions more sustainable. During 2021, just in Chile, we managed to reuse more than 250,000 plastic bottles, that are still being used by consumers, keeping more than 30 tons of plastic in the economy and out of the environment.”
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