Waitrose trials packaging-free groceries - MSE News 4 June 2019 at 3:45PM edited 1 November 2020 at 8:06AM in Gone off! 12 replies 4.9K views

Former_MSE_Naomi

Waitrose has started a trial aimed at cutting down on packaging waste by allowing shoppers to bring their own containers - and the packaging-free produce is up to 15% cheaper in some cases...

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'Waitrose trials packaging-free groceries'

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POPPYOSCAR

It is a great idea.

However,

With so much emphasis on food safety how is this going to work with people using their own containers?

Will they be blaming the supermarket if they get ill?

A._Badger

And in other news: 'Waitrose bids to boost image following collapse of loyalty scheme'

Even with 15% off, I still think Aldi has them beat - and you don't need to bring your own bucket to shop at Aldi.

richardw

This is where the problem is https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-1-perfectly-ripe-avocados/019292-9331-9332

tastyhog

It's not really packaging free is it, all you're doing is pushing the problem further up the chain.

It takes roughly the same amount of plastic to package things in 10kg bags as it does to package in 10 1kg bags.

Stompa

richardw wrote: »

This is where the problem is https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-1-perfectly-ripe-avocados/019292-9331-9332

FWIW: https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/waste-not-want-not/new-avocado-packaging-seeks-to-extend-fruits-shelf-life/563148.article

greyteam1959

Yucky idea..........
Just think of all the people sneezing, picking their noses & perhaps not washing their hands after using the toilet.
Oh & maybe they have just picked up their little doggies poo before raking about in these food hoppers.
A step 30 years back to the cheapo 'buy it from the open bin' shops.

glider3560

Things will be less fresh and will last for less time once you get them home.

There's a reason things come in sealed plastic with a oxygen-free atmosphere: to stop bacteria and mould growing.

If stuff gets removed from the packaging in the store, you're committing to using the thing soon after getting it home, rather than buying stuff in advance to use when needed. That seems a step backward and will probably increase food waste, unless you only buy small amounts when needed and therefore have to visit the shop more often.

maman

I think one main difference was that back in the day, when lots of things were sold loose, we had shop counters and shopkeepers that served the produce. Now it's a DIY free for all fraught with pitfalls.

kimplus8

If lots of people used this though and didn’t rely on the smaller plastic packed good, the turnover would be highly enough that the food would be lovely and fresh still and not spoil any faster than of Pre packaged.

glider3560

kimplus8 wrote: »

If lots of people used this though and didn’t rely on the smaller plastic packed good, the turnover would be highly enough that the food would be lovely and fresh still and not spoil any faster than of Pre packaged.

It depends how quickly you plan on using it after getting it home.