The Kroger Co., America's largest grocery retailer, and Loop, the circular reuse platform developed by TerraCycle, have launched a new way for customers to shop by offering a selection of products in reusable packaging rather than in single-use plastic.
Through a first-of-its-kind partnership in the U.S., customers of the 25 Kroger-owned Fred Meyer stores in the Portland, Oregon, metro area can purchase more than 20 products from leading consumer brands packaged in reusable containers.
"Our focus on innovative solutions as we continue on our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste journey aligns with Loop's mission to create a convenient circular packaging platform," said Lisa Zwack, Kroger's head of sustainability, in a statement. "Customers are increasingly seeking out sustainable products and services that fit their lifestyle, and this collection makes it convenient."
The new Loop assortment includes a combination of well-known food and household products from a range of brands, including Arbor Teas, Cascade, Clorox, Gerber, Nature's Heart, Nature's Path, Pantene, Seventh Generation, and Stubb's, as well as Kroger's own Simple Truth brand. More brands are expected to be added to the Loop product portfolio in the coming months.
Customers can purchase their Loop-ready products in refillable, reusable containers found in branded displays in participating Fred Meyer stores. After a customer uses the products, they can return the empty packaging to the Loop collection bin located at each participating store. Loop will then pick up the empty containers to be cleaned, refilled, and made available for purchase by a new customer.
Customers will be charged a small packaging deposit upon purchase, and a full refund is given once the package is returned.
"Loop's goal has always been to grow, scale, and be accessible to consumers around the world," says Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle and Loop. "With the world's largest retailers bringing Loop to physical brick and mortar locations, we are giving consumers what they've been asking for since Loop was introduced in 2019— the ability to purchase the products they use every day in durable, reusable containers with the convenience of shopping at their local market.”
Related: Chobani Launches Paper Cup; PCC Takes Lead in New Reusable Container Rules.