New analysis seems to disclose that two-thirds of UK customers (65%) consider all retailers must be providing reuse and refill methods and transferring away from single-use plastics.1 The analysis was commissioned by reuse and refill professional GoUnpackaged.
When reuse and refill methods are made handy, over two-thirds (68%) of shoppers are prone to incorporate them into their weekly store, with enthusiasm rising to 77% amongst youthful customers aged 18-34, in keeping with the survey.
The findings lend weight to the view that such schemes are making the journey from “nice-to-have” to being a should, with half of shoppers (50%) seemingly preferring to buy with manufacturers who implement reuse and refill methods, and 45% saying they might select retailers prioritising reuse over those who don’t.
If each family within the UK opted to reuse only one merchandise per week, it might eradicate over 1.4 billion gadgets of single-use packaging per 12 months.2
Regardless of client urge for food, there are nonetheless boundaries stopping customers from making these easy modifications. Over half (54%) of shoppers battle to search out reuse or refill choices at their common supermarkets, and 47% discover these schemes complicated or tough to navigate.
“Retailers have a restricted window to behave,” stated Catherine Conway, Director at GoUnpackaged. “Supermarkets that embrace reuse and refill methods now can set up themselves as leaders in sustainable retail, whereas those who wait threat falling behind in a market that’s more and more illiberal of wasteful practices.”
“Single-use packaging is a legal responsibility, with customers favouring manufacturers and retailers that align with extra eco-conscious values. Implementing reuse methods – corresponding to refillable containers in-store and reusable packaging – cannot solely encourage buyer loyalty but additionally assist companies keep forward of incoming regulation corresponding to pEPR (Packaging Prolonged Producer Accountability), the place producers can be anticipated to cowl the complete value of waste administration of the packaging they place available on the market.”
“The findings are a wake-up name to make reuse methods easy, accessible, and interesting to shoppers. With sustainability expectations hovering, and loyalty hinging on environmental accountability, retailers that lead the cost in sustainable practices will safe their place in a greener future.”
GoUnpackaged’s newest analysis highlights the components that inspire customers to undertake reuse methods, together with spending much less time sorting the recycling bin – 4 in 10 customers are eager to undertake reuse and refill in order that they have much less waste packaging to cope with at house.
WRAP’s UK Plastic Pact 2025
This rising shift in client sentiment aligns with the targets of The UK Plastic Pact 2025, launched by WRAP in 2018 alongside the Ellen MacArthur Basis. The Pact aimed to eradicate pointless single-use plastics, enhance reuse and recycling, and construct a round financial system for packaging. The Pact has achieved blended success so far, with half of its key 2025 targets set to be missed and plastic packaging solely decreased by 7% because it started.
Supermarkets are gearing as much as launch a second main push on reuse and refill know-how in a Plastics Pact Mark II being drawn up by WRAP, as they revealed there’s a “clear urge for food” throughout the business to agree on new standardised ideas.3
“By proactively adopting reuse and refill methods, retailers cannot solely get monetary savings on pEPR charges, but additionally display management in addressing the plastics disaster,” stated Conway. “Nevertheless, the window for impactful change is closing rapidly. Retailers that act now can set up themselves as pioneers, whereas those who delay might battle to catch up. Retailers face a essential second to embrace reuse and refill methods – or threat falling behind.”
Notes
[1] Analysis: 2,000 Nat Rep UK adults, carried out by Opinium, January 2025.
[2] Based mostly on ONS determine of 28.2 million households in UK 2022.
[3] The Grocer: https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/information/supermarkets-to-sign-plastics-pact-mark-ii-to-ramp-up-reuse-and-refill/698077.article